Back surgery is usually seen as a last resort for people dealing with ongoing back pain. So it can be incredibly frustrating when, even after going through surgery, the pain doesn’t go away—or sometimes even gets worse. That’s what’s often referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS.
What Exactly Is FBSS?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome isn’t really a “syndrome” in the traditional sense. It’s more of a general term used when someone has had one or more back surgeries and still deals with chronic pain in the same area. This can show up as lingering low back pain, nerve pain down the legs, stiffness, or even new pain that wasn’t there before.
Despite what it feels like, FBSS doesn’t always mean something went wrong during your surgery. Sometimes the original issue simply wasn’t resolved or maybe a post-surgery complication develops. Common complications may be scar tissue around nerves, inflammation, or other areas of the spine struggling to maintain proper function due to compensation.
Why Does It Happen?
There are a lot of reasons someone might still feel discomfort after back surgery. In some cases, the initial issue (like a herniated disc) comes back. In other situations, surgery may have changed how the spine functions, leading to added stress on nearby areas and potentially serious side effects that last a lifetime.
Things like limited mobility after surgery, poor posture, muscle imbalances, or simply not healing as expected can all play a role. And let’s face it—our spines are complex. When one area is altered, the rest often must adjust.
How We Help at Bare Chiropractic
At Bare Chiropractic, we see many people who are trying to find comfort and confidence in their bodies again after surgery. Dr. Thomas Keogh takes a personalized approach, working with you to figure out where the stress is coming from and how to help your spine move better.
We focus on restoring proper motion in the spine through gentle, targeted chiropractic adjustments. We also look at your overall posture, movement habits, and day-to-day routines to see where simple changes might bring some relief. Every person’s experience with FBSS is different, so our goal is to find what works best for you—not just apply a one-size-fits-all plan.
The goal isn’t to “undo” what the surgery did, but rather to help your body adapt and function better moving forward. When your spine moves well and works in balance, it can ease pressure on nerves and joints, giving you more freedom in your daily life.
Let’s Move Forward Together
Dealing with back pain after surgery is tough, but you’re not alone. If you’re in the Billings area and wondering what else you can do to feel better, we’re here to help. Dr. Keogh and the team at Bare Chiropractic will listen to your concerns and assess the state of your back to support the next steps in your healing.
Reach out today to schedule a visit and get you back to moving comfortably and living fully in the aftermath of FBSS.
Sources
Maddalozzo, G.F., Aikenhead, K., Sheth, V., Perisic, M.N. “A Novel Treatment Combination for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, With a 41-Month Follow-Up: A Retrospective Case Report.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2018 Dec; 17 (4): 256-263. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30846918/
Orhurhu, V.J., Chu, R., Gill, J. “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Stat Pearls, 2023 May 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539777/
