Back Conditions
- Back Conditions A-Z
- Herniated Disc
- Sprains and Strains
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Facet Arthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Failed Back Surgery
Back Pain Treatments
Useful Tools
Failed Back Surgery
- How many surgeries are performed annually and how many of those fail?
- Is it normal for the titanium rods used in a lumbar fusion to break?
- Can a failed lumbar fusion be fixed?
- more faqs »
Many can still have significant pain, difficulty performing normal daily activities and neurological problems. These are patients who have had prior disc surgery, previous attempted fusions, fractures with deformities, problems at adjacent level(s) to a fusion, and painful spinal hardware only to name a few. The clinical symptoms of these individuals may include severe pain, numbness, weakness, sciatica, and possible neurological deficits. Obesity, de-conditioning, inactivity, and chemical or drug dependency often occur as well. Patients and their families can be severely stressed and dysfunctional.
Many of these patients are physically challenged, deconditioned, and have a high rate of emotional and psychological problems including depression, sleep disturbances, and in general a poor quality of life. Ongoing medical care, consultations, and treatment programs are often fragmented, uncoordinated, inconsistent, and somewhat ala carte with no clear end in sight for this difficult patient population.
These conditions are commonly referred to as “failed spine surgery”, “failed backs”, or “post-laminectomy syndrome”. The reasons for this problem are many and complex.
The key is to determine what the chances of success with additional surgery are and if a potential surgical problem still exists. If you have further questions please feel free to contact Dr. Biscup here, or if you would like a free MRI review from Dr. Biscup click here.