You had spine surgery hoping for relief. But instead of less pain, you’re left wondering why your symptoms persist—or have even worsened. This frustrating scenario is more common than most realize, and it has a name: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), also known as Post-Laminectomy Syndrome.
FBSS isn’t a failure on your part—it’s a condition where pain continues despite surgical intervention. It can involve back or leg pain that never went away, or new discomfort that developed after recovery. While spine surgery is often necessary, it’s not always a cure-all. Scar tissue, unresolved nerve compression, spinal instability, or central nervous system changes can all contribute to chronic pain after surgery.
That’s where we come in.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we specialize in non-surgical, expert-guided pain management tailored for patients with FBSS. Our mission is to restore your function and quality of life using advanced, minimally invasive techniques—not just mask symptoms with medications.
Whether you’re months or years post-op, there is hope. You don’t have to live with lingering pain. Our experienced team in Georgia is here to help you understand your condition, identify the true source of your discomfort, and create a personalized treatment plan that works.
When back surgery doesn’t deliver lasting relief, the symptoms can be confusing, frustrating, and life-limiting. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we understand how important it is to recognize and address the specific signs of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) so that targeted treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Here are some of the most common symptoms our FBSS patients experience:
Pain that continues after surgery—or re-emerges weeks or months later—is a hallmark of FBSS. It may be localized in the back or radiate into the legs, similar to sciatica. This pain is often sharp, stabbing, burning, or aching and may worsen with movement or prolonged standing.
Residual or new nerve irritation may lead to uncomfortable sensations or loss of function in the legs or feet. These symptoms can interfere with walking, balance, and daily activities, and may worsen over time without proper intervention.
FBSS often involves deeper issues such as:
These anatomical changes can’t be fixed with medication alone—but they can be addressed with advanced, non-surgical interventions.
Living with daily pain after an invasive surgery can take a serious emotional toll. Many patients experience:
At Medici, we treat pain as a whole-body experience, supporting both physical and emotional recovery.
Spine surgery is often a necessary step to relieve nerve compression or stabilize the spine—but it’s not always a guaranteed cure. For some patients, pain persists or even worsens after the procedure. This is not due to a lack of effort or poor healing—it’s often the result of underlying issues that surgery alone couldn't resolve.
Here are the most common reasons spine surgery may not fully eliminate pain:
If a spinal nerve root remains pinched or irritated after surgery, pain and neurological symptoms can continue. In some cases, a small fragment of disc or bone may have been missed, or new compression may develop as the spine continues to degenerate post-op.
Scar tissue naturally forms as the body heals, but in the spine, it can wrap around nerve roots and cause persistent pain, stiffness, or numbness. This is especially common after laminectomy or discectomy procedures. Scar tissue cannot be removed easily, but its effects can be managed with specialized treatments like nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulation.
If spinal implants shift or fail, they can create instability and renewed pain. Even without hardware, fusions and other structural changes can alter biomechanics, leading to adjacent segment disease (where other parts of the spine begin to degenerate). These mechanical issues often cause deep, aching pain or new nerve symptoms.
Sometimes, the nervous system itself becomes hypersensitive. This condition—called central sensitization—means your brain and spinal cord continue to amplify pain signals, even after the physical problem is resolved. Patients often describe this as burning, electric, or radiating pain that doesn’t respond well to typical painkillers.
When you're still in pain after spine surgery, the first step isn’t more medications—it’s finding out exactly what’s causing your pain now. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we specialize in diagnosing complex post-surgical pain through a methodical, medically guided approach.
Here’s how we uncover the root of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS):
We begin by reviewing your complete medical and surgical history, including:
Understanding what was treated—and what might have been missed—helps us identify patterns and potential sources of unresolved pain.
Advanced imaging allows us to assess:
If needed, we use contrast imaging to evaluate inflammation or nerve impingement that may not show on standard scans.
These tests evaluate nerve function and muscle response, helping us determine:
This step is crucial for developing precise, effective treatment plans.
We also assess your:
This full-body assessment helps us treat the person, not just the pain.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we treat Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) with a multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach. Rather than relying on repeat surgery or long-term opioids, our team offers advanced treatments designed to restore function and relieve pain at the source.
Here’s how we help patients like you reclaim their lives:
For localized pain and inflammation, we use image-guided techniques to deliver medication directly to the problem area:
These help reduce inflammation, calm irritated nerves, and provide diagnostic clarity.
For chronic nerve pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, Spinal Cord Stimulation offers hope without more surgery.
SCS uses a small implant to disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain—relieving back and leg pain with fewer medications. Patients can trial the device before committing.
Ideal for:
Movement is key to long-term recovery. Our therapists help you:
All therapy is personalized based on your surgical history and pain patterns.
We use the body’s natural healing tools to reduce pain and restore tissue health:
These treatments may help revitalize damaged soft tissues and ligaments, especially for those with degeneration or inflammation after surgery.
We provide a responsible, evidence-based approach to medications, including:
Our goal is to reduce reliance on opioids while maximizing relief and function.
Still dealing with pain after back surgery? Get the help you deserve. You don’t need to accept ongoing discomfort, limited mobility, or a reliance on pain medications as your new normal. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we specialize in helping patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) find real, lasting relief—through advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive care, and compassionate support.
📞 Call our team today: +1-844-328-4624
📅 Schedule your consultation: https://medicimedicalarts.com
🔗 Explore related care options:
We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans, and offer care at locations throughout Georgia—including Marietta, Kennesaw, Snellville, and Buckhead.
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
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