As our population ages, the number of people taking back surgeries continues to rise. In fact, the number of those who took up lumbar fusion procedures increased by more than 170%.
Yet surgery does not guarantee relief. Studies report that 10% to 40% of patients continue to experience pain after back surgery, a condition known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).
The risk is even higher with more complex procedures failure rates reach 30% to 46% after lumbar fusion and 19% to 25% after microdiscectomy.
Many believe surgery should have been the final solution, only to find themselves still limited by pain and uncertainty.
At our Wheat Ridge, CO clinic FBSS can often be managed effectively with non-surgical, evidence-based treatment that addresses the underlying issues left unresolved by surgery.
What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) describes ongoing or recurring pain after spinal surgery, such as discectomy, laminectomy, or fusion. Even when the surgery itself is performed correctly, some patients continue to struggle with back pain.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome can result from several different problems after spine surgery, including:
- Epidural fibrosis: Scar tissue forms around nerve roots and causes ongoing irritation, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness.
- Recurrent or residual disc herniation: The operated disc herniates again, or leftover disc material continues to press on nerves.
- Nerve root injury: Surgical trauma to delicate nerve roots can cause lasting pain, weakness, or altered sensation.
- Spinal instability: A laminectomy can weaken spinal stability, while fusion can change spinal mechanics and create new areas of strain.
- Hardware complications: Screws, rods, or cages may loosen, break, or irritate nearby tissue.
- Adjacent segment degeneration: The levels above or below a spinal fusion take on extra stress, often leading to new degeneration or herniation.
- Misdiagnosis or inappropriate surgery: If the original pain source wasn’t structural or was misidentified, surgery may not solve the problem and can even make symptoms worse.
FBSS isn’t a single diagnosis with one cause, it’s a collection of problems that share the same outcome: pain that lingers after back surgery.
How We Treat Failed Back Surgery Syndrome at The Disc Chiropractic
When I work with patients dealing with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, my goal is to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support healing without adding more surgery. At The Disc Chiropractic, I combine several evidence-based therapies that address scar tissue, nerve irritation, and mechanical stress on the spine.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Using the Triton DTS system, spinal decompression gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on nerve roots and discs near the surgical site. This improves hydration inside the discs, reduces nerve compression, and creates a better environment to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Chiropractic Adjustments
When appropriate and after diagnostics, I deliver precise and gentle thrust to the restricted spinal segments while protecting the areas that have been surgically altered. Target adjustments help restore balance to the spine, reduce mechanical stress, and improve function without disturbing the operated levels.
Shockwave Therapy
The Intelect RPW 2 delivers acoustic waves into the tissues surrounding the spine. This improves blood circulation, breaks down small adhesions, and reduces chronic soft tissue pain that often lingers after surgery.
Therapeutic Exercise
I guide patients through strengthening exercises that target the core, hip stabilizers, and spinal support muscles. Correcting posture and retraining spinal mechanics reduces strain on the surgical site and lowers the risk of adjacent segment problems in the future.
FAQs About Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Why does back pain continue after spinal surgery?
Back pain can persist if scar tissue forms around nerves, if the disc herniates again, or if the spine becomes unstable after a procedure like laminectomy or fusion. Sometimes the original pain source wasn’t fully addressed, which means surgery didn’t fix the underlying problem.
Can Failed Back Surgery Syndrome be treated without another surgery?
Yes. Many patients improve with non-surgical options such as decompression therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue care. These treatments relieve nerve pressure, improve movement, and reduce inflammation without the risks of another operation.
How do you know if scar tissue is the cause of pain?
Scar tissue usually develops in the first few months after surgery. If nerve-type symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness return during that period, scar tissue is often suspected. An MRI can sometimes confirm it, but a thorough exam and history are just as important.
Is spinal decompression safe after surgery?
Yes, when applied carefully. With the Triton DTS system, decompression can be done in a gentle and controlled way that avoids stressing fused or unstable areas. Many post-surgical patients tolerate it well and find relief from lingering nerve pain.
What conservative treatments are most effective for persistent post-surgical pain
The best results usually come from combining decompression therapy with adjustments, soft tissue work, and rehab exercises. This approach addresses both scar tissue and the mechanical stress on the spine, giving patients a better chance at lasting relief.
Can Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ever fully resolve?
In some cases, yes. Patients with scar tissue or nerve injury may not see complete relief, but most still experience meaningful improvement in pain and function. With the right care, it’s possible to regain mobility and get back to a better quality of life.
Don’t Live in Pain After Back Surgery
Persistent pain after surgery does not mean you are out of options. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is more common than most people realize.
Our $97 New Patient Special is the first step. Patients across Wheat Ridge and Denver trust us because we explain clearly what’s causing their pain and provide a safe, proven plan to treat it without another surgery.
If you’re ready to stop struggling with post-surgical pain and start moving forward,