Services
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Persistent or recurrent back and leg pain after spine surgery — a recognized condition with several effective, non-repeat-surgery treatment options.
In short — Failed back surgery syndrome is persistent back or leg pain after spine surgery, from residual disc herniation, nerve scarring, or altered spinal mechanics. Conservative care, targeted injections, and — when those measures fail — spinal cord or DRG stimulation can provide relief without additional spine surgery, following a trial that must show at least 50% pain reduction.
What is failed back surgery syndrome?
FBSS refers to persistent back or leg pain after spine surgery. Causes include residual disc herniation, nerve scarring, muscle deconditioning and altered spinal mechanics.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may include diffuse aching, sharp stabbing pain, numbness or tingling.
Who is a candidate for treatment?
Patients with significant pain months after surgery should be evaluated. Imaging, physical examination and a review of prior procedures help determine whether structural issues persist or whether neuromodulation is appropriate.
How is it treated?
Conservative treatment begins with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and targeted injections such as epidural steroid injections, facet-joint blocks and nerve-root blocks. When these measures fail, spinal cord stimulation or DRG stimulation can provide relief without additional spine surgery. For widespread pain or when oral medication doses become limiting, targeted drug delivery with an implanted pain pump is another option.
A temporary trial with stimulation assesses efficacy; if pain is reduced by at least 50%, permanent implantation is considered.
What is recovery like?
Recovery is similar to the initial implant — most patients go home the same day and resume light activities within a week.
What are the risks?
Risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hardware issues
- Persistent pain
Does insurance cover it?
Insurers typically cover neuromodulation for FBSS after conservative therapy has failed and a successful trial demonstrates significant benefit.
Trusted resources
Learn more about persistent pain after spine surgery from these independent medical sources:
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) — Chronic Pain
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) — Back Pain
- NINDS (National Institutes of Health) — Pain
- International Neuromodulation Society — Failed Back Surgery Syndrome fact sheet
Related care
Conditions and treatments connected to this page, all provided by Dr. Eaddy:
- Spinal Cord Stimulation — reversible neuromodulation with a try-first trial
- Targeted Drug Delivery (Pain Pump) — precise low-dose medication delivered where it's needed
- Epidural Steroid Injection — image-guided anti-inflammatory relief for irritated spinal nerves
- Endoscopic Spine Surgery — minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for selected disc, facet, and spine-related pain
Ready to talk about your pain?
Call the office for an appointment, or send a question online — office staff will respond by phone during business hours.
Call (904) 453-7976 Send a questionMessages only / callback line: (813) 397-3047
Medically reviewed by Kenneth J. Eaddy, MD · Last reviewed: July 5, 2026