April 15, 2025
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Could Chiropractic Offer Relief When Surgery Doesn't?
Facing persistent back or neck pain often leads people to consider surgery as a potential solution. While surgical intervention certainly has its place and can be necessary for some conditions, it's also a major decision with significant potential drawbacks, especially concerning spinal procedures. Surgery carries inherent risks, involves demanding recovery periods, and unfortunately, doesn't always guarantee lasting relief—sometimes leading to ongoing issues known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).
This article takes an honest look at the realities of surgery. We'll explore common complications, discuss success and revision rates, and examine the long term challenges patients might encounter. Understanding these aspects is crucial before proceeding down the surgical path.
Given these factors, exploring less invasive options often makes sense. Chiropractic care presents a well established alternative, focusing on addressing the underlying causes of pain through non surgical, drug free methods. We will cover how chiropractic works, including techniques like spinal adjustments and decompression, highlight its strong safety record, and discuss the types of conditions it frequently helps.
To illustrate the impact of this approach, we'll share real life case studies from our practice, showing how chiropractic has helped individuals avoid surgery, find relief when surgery didn't provide answers, or achieve significant health improvements.
Our goal is to provide you with a clearer understanding of both surgical and chiropractic approaches. By weighing the potential risks and benefits, you can feel more empowered to make informed decisions that align with your personal health goals and well being.
Surgery is often considered a definitive solution for various health conditions. However, every surgical procedure carries inherent risks. Complications can include infections, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and unexpected bleeding. There's also the possibility that surgery may not fully resolve the problem, leading to additional procedures.
For instance, back surgeries intended to relieve pain don't always guarantee success. Some patients may experience persistent or even worsened symptoms after the operation. This can be both physically and emotionally draining.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) refers to the condition where patients continue to experience pain following spinal surgery. This persistent discomfort can present as pain that never improved, pain that initially subsided but then returned, or pain that worsened after the surgical procedure.
FBSS is defined as lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin that persists after surgical intervention.
The prevalence of FBSS varies among studies. Approximately 20% of spine surgery patients develop this syndrome, though some studies suggest that up to 40% may be affected.
A Japanese study reported a 20.6% prevalence among patients who underwent lumbar surgery. While FBSS impacts a significant minority, it is important to note that the majority of spine surgeries do not result in failed outcomes.
The outcomes of spine surgeries show considerable variability. Success rates for lumbar disc surgery range from 49% to 90%, depending on factors such as patient selection and surgical approach. In patients with disc herniation, about 53% report good results, 19% experience moderate improvement, and 28% have poor outcomes.
For patients with other diagnoses, the success rates are lower, with 38% reporting good results, 28% seeing moderate improvement, and 41% experiencing poor outcomes. Overall, approximately 66% of patients may see significant improvement in pain and function after surgery.
Although surgery may offer significant short-term benefits, maintaining these improvements over the long term can be challenging. Research indicates that the initial pain relief provided by surgery can fade by the six-year follow-up mark.
This gradual diminishment suggests that surgical benefits often decrease over time, highlighting the importance of considering long-term outcomes when evaluating surgical options.
A notable number of patients require additional surgeries after their initial procedure. In a study involving 11,027 patients, 14.2% needed reoperation within five years.
Revision rates vary depending on the type of surgery; 13.3% for decompression-only procedures and 9.8% for decompression with fusion.
Furthermore, approximately 8% of patients with lumbar disc herniation may experience recurrence of symptoms that necessitate further intervention.
Several factors contribute to the development of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Misdiagnosis plays a major role, with undiagnosed conditions like lateral stenosis accounting for up to 58% of cases. Technical issues during surgery can also lead to FBSS, including incomplete decompression of nerves, failed spinal fusion, scar tissue formation, surgical errors, and hardware failure.
Patient selection factors are critical as well; performing surgery on patients unlikely to benefit, overlooking risk factors such as smoking that inhibit healing, and choosing surgical intervention over non-surgical treatments when not necessary can all contribute to unsuccessful outcomes.
FBSS affects patients on multiple levels beyond physical pain.
The condition can significantly impair quality of life, sometimes more so than other chronic conditions like heart failure. Economically, FBSS leads to increased healthcare expenses and lost productivity due to disability.
Patients who require revision surgery often experience less benefit compared to those who had successful initial procedures, adding to the emotional and financial burdens.
The results of additional surgeries for FBSS patients can vary widely. Satisfaction rates are high, around 81%, if a revision fusion surgery is successful. However, satisfaction drops significantly to 23% if the revision fails.
Five years after the operation, patients who underwent revision surgery show modestly diminished benefits compared to those with successful initial surgeries.
The negative impact of revisions tends to be greater for patients who had fusion surgeries than for those who underwent decompression-only procedures.
Recovery following spinal surgery can be lengthy and demanding. Patients may face extended periods of limited mobility and might require assistance with daily activities. Physical therapy is often a necessary component of rehabilitation to regain strength and function. This process adds both time and financial costs and can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and work productivity.
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can interfere with nerve communication, leading to pain and dysfunction. By realigning the spine, chiropractors aim to restore proper function and alleviate discomfort.
This approach doesn't just mask symptoms, it seeks to correct the underlying issues causing them. Patients often experience relief from pain and an improvement in overall health without the need for medications or surgery.
One of the primary benefits of chiropractic care is that it's non-invasive. There are no incisions, and treatments don't involve drugs. This eliminates the risks associated with surgical procedures and medication side effects. Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and tailored to each individual's needs, making it a safe option for many people.
Chiropractors take a whole-body approach to wellness. They often provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes that support long-term health. This holistic perspective helps patients not only recover from current issues but also prevent future problems.
Chiropractic care's safety is reflected in its relatively low malpractice insurance costs compared to other healthcare fields, indicating a strong safety record.
Malpractice insurance is professional liability coverage protecting practitioners against negligence claims. Premiums generally reflect the perceived risk associated with a specific healthcare field.
Chiropractors typically pay much lower malpractice insurance premiums (often only around two thousand dollars annually) than medical doctors, whose premiums can be significantly higher, especially in high-risk specialties.
Factors contributing to lower chiropractic premiums include non-invasive treatment methods (no surgery or prescription drugs), fewer malpractice claims filed, and manual techniques being less likely to cause severe harm than surgical procedures.
Lower insurance costs signal insurer confidence in the safety of chiropractic treatments. This strong safety record suggests quality care and can enhance patient trust.
Patients should seek care from licensed chiropractors. Licensure ensures practitioners have met educational requirements, adhere to professional standards, and provide accountable, safe treatment.
Chiropractic care has become an increasingly popular non-invasive treatment option for individuals seeking alternatives to traditional medical approaches. Focusing on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, chiropractic care aims to enhance the body's natural healing abilities without the use of drugs or surgery. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of health issues, promoting overall wellness and prevention of future ailments.
Chiropractic treatment utilizes several methods to address spinal and musculoskeletal issues, primarily focusing on restoring proper function and reducing nerve interference. Key techniques include:
Also known as spinal manipulation, this core technique involves applying specific, controlled force to joints, particularly in the spine, that have become restricted in their movement.
The goal is to correct these misalignments (subluxations), restore joint mobility, alleviate pressure on nerves, and improve communication between the brain and the body. This often leads to reduced pain and improved overall function.
This is a specialized, non-surgical technique aimed at relieving pressure on spinal discs and nerves. We utilize advanced equipment, such as a Chattanooga traction table, to gently stretch the spine. This process creates negative pressure within the targeted discs, which can help retract bulging or herniated material, reducing nerve impingement.
Spinal decompression is often employed as a conservative approach to manage conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease, potentially helping patients avoid more invasive procedures like spine surgery.
Back and neck discomfort are among the most frequent reasons people seek chiropractic care. Adjustments can relieve tension, reduce pain, and improve mobility, allowing individuals to return to their daily activities.
Spinal misalignments can contribute to headaches and migraines. By correcting these issues, chiropractic care may reduce the frequency and intensity of these painful episodes.
Problems with joints in the shoulders, hips, knees, and other areas can benefit from chiropractic adjustments. Improving joint function can alleviate pain and enhance movement.
Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of chiropractic care. Research has shown that spinal manipulation can be effective in treating lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Patients often report high satisfaction rates due to the personalized and hands-on nature of the treatments.
When a 40-year-old man came to Limitless Chiropractic, he was facing an imminent foot surgery that had already been scheduled. For months, he had been grappling with chronic foot pain that made it difficult to walk, work, and stay active. Specialists had diagnosed him with plantar fasciitis and degenerative changes, informing him that surgery was his only option.
Skeptical but open to alternatives, he decided to visit our office as a last resort. After just two chiropractic adjustments focused on full-body alignment and foot mechanics, he noticed a significant reduction in his pain. By his fourth visit, the pain was nearly gone. He was able to return to work without limping and even began light jogging again.
In a moment of clarity, he called his surgeon and canceled the procedure. He now refers to chiropractic care as "the intervention that saved him from going under the knife." His story is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of chiropractic care as a safe, natural, and incredibly effective alternative to surgery.
A 50-year-old woman walked into Limitless Chiropractic carrying a painful history. Ten years earlier, she had undergone spinal fusion surgery at the L5/S1 level after enduring chronic low back pain. Initially, the surgery provided her with temporary relief, but within a year, the pain returned; this time even more frustrating and debilitating. Her doctors told her there was "nothing more they could do" aside from managing the pain with medication.
That's when she found Limitless Chiropractic. We crafted a customized care plan that combined chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression therapy to reduce nerve pressure and restore mobility. Within a few weeks, her pain levels dropped dramatically.
For the first time in years, she was able to sleep through the night without painkillers. After a couple of months, she was hiking again, a goal she had thought was lost forever.
Chiropractic care didn't just manage her pain; it gave her hope and a future she believed surgery had taken away.
Understanding the risks associated with medications and surgery is crucial. While these treatments have their place, they may not always be the best first option. Chiropractic care offers a safer alternative that can address the root causes of pain without the associated dangers of drugs or invasive procedures.
By considering all available options and consulting with healthcare professionals, individuals can make choices that align with their health goals and values.
The journey to wellness doesn't have to involve significant risks. Chiropractic care provides a path that focuses on healing from within, emphasizing the body's ability to recover naturally. For those seeking relief without the potential harms of medications and surgery, exploring chiropractic treatment may be a worthwhile step.
If you're interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can benefit you, consider reaching out to Limitless Chiropractic. Our dedicated team is here to support you on your path to better health.
Dr. Scott Mitchell, a Boston-accented chiropractor with a passion for holistic health,dedicates his life to helping people unlock their LIMITLESS potential through personalized chiropractic care.
