Failed lumbar fusion is a fairly common occurrence. When you compound the invasive nature of the procedure with the grafting, muscle trauma, and hardware that are involved, it’s no wonder that your body may react negatively to the stress of the operation. In fact, a condition referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) aptly labels all the negative outcomes that can accompany any spinal surgery.
What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), which may include a failed lumbar fusion, describes a bevy of problems that can arise when a spine operation is not successful. This can occur as a result of the following:
- Incorrect initial diagnosis
- Surgery was performed on wrong section of spine
- Surgery created problems in other regions of the spine
- Rejection of hardware or bone grafts
- Nerve damage or muscle injury sustained during surgery
Symptoms of FBSS include:
- Return of old symptoms and/or presentation of new symptoms
- Inability to rehabilitate
- Spasms, spontaneous immobility, or joint lockage
- Anxiety, depression, drug dependence
Fusion Surgery and FBSS
Patients who undergo fusion of the spine are especially susceptible to the development of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome because the operation utilizes hardware. As with any foreign object that is put into the body, the rods, screws, cages, and plates used to stabilize the spine can shift, break, deteriorate, or may simply be rejected by your body. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the bone grafts will successfully facilitate complete bone fusion, which means that a single failed lumbar fusion could be the gateway to a long string of subsequent surgeries.
Avoiding FBSS
If you have experienced a failed lumbar fusion, contact Laser Spine Institute. Our minimally invasive, outpatient procedures have proven highly successful. Gentle, endoscopic techniques allow us to decompress spinal nerves, without the risks and lengthy recovery periods of traditional surgery. Request a free review of your MRI or CT scan from Laser Spine Institute today.
