Failed Back Syndrome is overwhelming and can disturb your quality of life. Therefore, timely failed back syndrome treatment is necessary to manage the pain and get rid of mobility issues. After all, pain affects not only physical health but mental health too. Most people don’t know what to expect during the treatment. So, here is a guide for you all. Keep ready and get prepared to eliminate the pain and mobility issues out of your life.
Failed Back Syndrome – What is it?
Do you know? Only around 50% of spinal surgeries are said to be successful when performed first time. So, what about the rest 50%? Well, those with failed surgeries are said to develop a condition called failed back syndrome. This condition is characterized by persistent pain, spinal issues, and other mobility issues even after the surgery. This is not technically a disease but because the condition is so painful, timely treatment and pain management are super important.
Why Does Failed Back Syndrome Occur?
As aforementioned, failed back syndrome occurs because of an unsuccessful surgery. But why exactly a surgery fails? Let’s dive a bit deeper; here are some reasons that can lead to failed spinal surgery:
- Inaccurate diagnosis of the issue
- Inefficient treatment technique
- Instability of facet joints
- Other surgical complications
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Did You Know? |
Those dealing with psychological issues like depression or anxiety prior to the surgery are at risk of developing failed back syndrome later on. |
When Do You Need Failed Back Syndrome Treatment?
Here is when to see a specialist for failed back syndrome treatment. Remember, these symptoms may occur weeks, months, or even years after your spinal surgery:
- Persistent pain in the back of legs
- Inability to recover from pain
- Restricted mobility and back spasms
- Numbness traveling to legs from back
- Occurrence of pain in a new area
What to Expect from a Failed Back Syndrome Treatment?
Undoubtedly, failed back syndrome (FBS) is a challenging condition. After all, it affects your mobility, compromises your mobility, and impacts your quality of life. Do you not know what to expect from a failed back syndrome treatment? Don’t worry; most people don’t know. But still, seeing a professional is very important. Because only a specialist can suggest the right treatment plan to get rid of the pain. Here is what you can expect:
Note: This is for information purposes only. If you need professional diagnosis or treatment, it is better you see a healthcare professional.
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Diagnosis of the Issue
Failed back syndrome treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis of the root cause. You can expect your specialist to inquire about your medical history. Apart from this, you can expect them to ask you general questions like when did the pain begin? What makes the pain better or worse? Also, diagnosis includes a physical examination to evaluate your range of motion, muscle strength, and nerve function. Most importantly, diagnosis is backed by the results of imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. It detects the exact cause of the syndrome and any abnormalities in the spine.
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Non-Surgical Treatment
After the assessment of the diagnosis report, the next step is treatment. Based on their evaluation, your specialist will suggest the best treatment plan for effective recovery. You should know that professionals don’t believe in a one-treatment-fits-all approach. Instead, they opt for personalized treatments for every patient. After all, every patient experiences different symptoms and they must be treated accordingly. The first approach is managing the pain using non-surgical treatments. These include:
Physical Therapy:
This is the most common recommendation for failed back syndrome treatment. The goal of physical therapy is to improve the extent of mobility and manage the pain. Moreover, it also helps strengthen the muscles around the spinal area and improve flexibility and stability. And another amazing benefit of opting for physical therapy for treatment is that it will help you develop a better posture. Your physiatrist or spinal specialist is always ready to guide you on the most effective therapy exercises for your pain.
Medications:
Patients are usually recommended to take specific medications to relieve the pain and relax muscles. These usually include OTC pain relievers or NSAIDs (non-steroidal inflammatory drugs). NSAIDs prescribed mostly include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Furthermore, other medications include corticosteroid injections or neuroleptics. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications. It is because only a specialist can suggest the best for you.
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Surgical Interventions
Most specialists suggest surgical interventions when non-surgical methods fail to show any improvements. Apart from this, surgery is suggested in conditions when the pain is too severe to be managed by therapy or painkillers. The goal of surgery – re-surgery – is to alleviate the pain and restore mobility. Moreover, surgery for this condition commonly includes decompression. And here are some common surgery approaches used by specialists as failed back syndrome treatment:
- Laminotomy
- Realignment
- Diskectomy
- Spinal fusion
Self-Care Methods for Failed Back Syndrome Treatment
Pain as a result of failed back syndrome can be quite debilitating. Timely professional treatment is surely important but you can also take some pain relief measures at home too. This includes:
- Taking Proper Rest
- Icing or Heat Compress
- Stretching Exercises
Get Failed Back Syndrome Treatment Timely!
Around 5-40% of people who go through spinal surgery may experience failed back syndrome. And those who suffer from FBS may experience chronic back pain and it can disrupt your quality of life. Moreover, timely treatment prevents further damage to the spine and surrounding structures. Other than this, timely addressing FBS promptly can help mitigate the mental health impacts of chronic pain, including depression, anxiety, etc. Above all, timely treatment reduces the risk of complications, such as nerve damage or spinal cord compression. Also, it improves the chances of successful treatment outcomes, including pain reduction and improved function.