Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome (also called FBSS, or failed back syndrome) is a misnomer, as it is not actually a syndrome – it is a very generalized term that is often used to describe the condition of patients who have not had a successful result with back surgery or spine surgery and have experienced continued pain after surgery. There is no equivalent term for failed back surgery syndrome in any other type of surgery (e.g. there is no failed cardiac surgery syndrome, failed knee surgery syndrome, etc.). There are many reasons that a back surgery may or may not work.

Failed Back Surgery Definition:

• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (or FBSS) refers to patients . . . who have persistent pain symptoms after spine surgery . .

What does Failed Back Surgery Syndrome feel like?

Like most chronic pain conditions, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is marked by dull, aching pain in the back and in the extremities. What makes back pain so frustrating is that it is seldom centered in the back. Instead, it tends to radiate out from the lower back to points all over the body. You may be suffering from chronic pain in your toes or in your heel, when in fact, the source is your lower back.