Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatment in Southern California

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatment in Southern California

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) describes back or leg pain that continues, returns, or changes after spine surgery. It is not a sign that you did something wrong, and it does not always mean the operation failed. At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians work to find out where the pain is coming from now, then build a non-surgical plan with image-guided injections, nerve procedures, spinal cord stimulation, and rehabilitation.

Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and How We Treat It

Spine surgery is usually done to fix a specific structural problem: a herniated disc pressing on a nerve, a narrowed spinal canal, or an unstable segment. When the surgery works as planned, it removes that one source of pain. But the spine has many other structures that can hurt, and surgery cannot address all of them.

Pain after surgery has several possible causes. The original problem can come back, as when a disc herniates again at the same level. Scar tissue can form around a nerve root as the body heals. The levels above or below a fusion can take on extra load and wear faster. A nerve that was compressed for a long time may stay irritated even after the pressure is removed. Sometimes the pain was coming partly from another source, like the facet joints or the sacroiliac joint, all along.

That is why FBSS is a description, not a diagnosis. Two patients with the same surgery can have pain for completely different reasons, and the right treatment depends on finding the actual source.

At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians start with a full review of your surgical history, operative reports, and imaging, followed by a detailed physical examination. Where the source is unclear, diagnostic nerve blocks help confirm which structure is generating pain. Treatment plans may include epidural steroid injections, facet and sacroiliac joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, and a rehabilitation program designed to restore strength and movement after surgery. When imaging shows a problem that may need a surgeon, we coordinate that referral.

Benefits of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatment

Finding the Real Source of Pain

Post-surgical pain is rarely a single problem. Diagnostic injections and a careful exam help separate nerve pain, joint pain, and muscular pain so treatment targets the structure that is actually causing your symptoms.

Non-Surgical Options Before Another Operation

Repeat spine surgery carries its own risks, and outcomes are often less predictable than the first operation. Interventional treatments give many patients a way to manage pain without going back to the operating room.

Spinal Cord Stimulation With a Trial First

For persistent nerve pain in the back or legs after surgery, spinal cord stimulation is a well-studied option. A temporary trial lets you test how well it works for you before any permanent device is placed.

Rehabilitation That Supports Long-Term Function

Pain relief from an injection or nerve procedure creates a window to rebuild strength, flexibility, and movement. Pairing procedures with physical therapy helps protect the operated spine and the levels around it.

Conditions We Treat

Recurrent Disc Herniation
A disc can herniate again at the same level after a discectomy, bringing back sciatica or arm pain similar to the original symptoms. Imaging confirms the recurrence, and epidural steroid injections can calm the inflamed nerve root while the next steps are planned.

Epidural Fibrosis and Scar Tissue
‍Scar tissue normally forms as the body heals after surgery. In some patients it surrounds or tethers a nerve root and contributes to leg pain. Targeted epidural injections, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation may help manage pain linked to scar tissue.

Adjacent Segment Disease
After a spinal fusion, the levels just above or below the fused segment take on more motion and stress. Over time, those discs and facet joints can degenerate and become a new source of pain. Diagnostic blocks identify the involved level, and injections or radiofrequency ablation can provide relief.

Persistent Radiculopathy After Decompression
‍A nerve that was compressed for a long time may stay irritated even after surgery relieves the pressure, causing ongoing burning, tingling, or shooting leg pain. Epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation are used to manage this type of nerve pain.

Facet Joint Pain After Surgery
‍The small facet joints at the back of the spine can be a source of pain both before and after surgery, especially next to a fused level. Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks help confirm the diagnosis, and radiofrequency ablation may provide longer-lasting relief.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain After Lumbar Fusion
Lumbar fusion can shift load onto the sacroiliac joints, where the spine meets the pelvis. SI joint pain often shows up as pain in the buttock or low back on one side. Image-guided SI joint injections can confirm the source and reduce inflammation.

Residual or Recurrent Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal can remain after surgery or develop again at the same or nearby levels, causing leg pain and fatigue with walking or standing. Epidural steroid injections and a structured rehabilitation program are common parts of care.

Muscle Pain and Deconditioning After Surgery
Surgical incisions, time off from activity, and changes in how you move can leave the back muscles weak, tight, or painful. Trigger point injections and targeted physical therapy address muscular pain and help rebuild core and spinal strength.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Before Your Treatment

Preparation Guidelines• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows access to your lower back.
• Bring a complete list of all medications, supplements, and blood thinners you are currently taking.
• Notify our team of any known allergies, particularly to contrast dye, local anesthetics, or corticosteroids.
• Bring your operative report, discharge notes, and any MRI, CT, or X-ray imaging taken before and after your surgery.
• Avoid eating a heavy meal before procedures that involve sedation.
• Arrange transportation home if sedation or a nerve block is part of your procedure.

Initial ConsultationYour first appointment is a dedicated physician consultation. Our doctors review your complete history, including what surgery you had, how your pain changed afterward, and what treatments you have already tried. A thorough physical examination and review of your imaging help identify the most likely source of your current pain. You will leave with a clear explanation of what may be driving your symptoms and a personalized treatment plan that starts with the least invasive effective option.

During the Procedure

Comfort and Preparation• The treatment area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic before any injection or procedure begins.
• Our physicians confirm your comfort and readiness before proceeding.

Targeted Treatment• Spinal injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation are performed under real-time fluoroscopic guidance to place the needle precisely, including around surgical hardware.
• Contrast dye is used with fluoroscopy to confirm accurate positioning before medication is delivered.
• Spinal cord stimulation begins with a trial: temporary leads are placed near the spinal cord and tested over several days before any permanent implant is considered.

After Your Treatment

Immediate Recovery• Most patients go home the same day after an injection or nerve procedure.
• Mild soreness at the injection site is normal and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours.
• Apply ice to the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours to ease post-procedure discomfort.
• Some patients notice a temporary increase in pain for a day or two after a corticosteroid injection before relief begins.

Patient applying ice pack after pain treatment as part of immediate recovery protocol

First 72 Hours• Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and positions that aggravate your symptoms.
• Keep the injection site clean and dry.
• Do not drive if sedation was administered. Arrange transportation in advance.
• Take prescribed medications only as directed by your physician.
• Contact our office promptly if you experience fever, escalating pain, or new numbness or weakness in your legs.

Patient resting at home during the first 72 hours after a pain management procedure

Long-Term Recovery• Resume light activity gradually over the first one to two weeks following your physician's guidance.
• Begin your prescribed physical therapy program, focused on core strength, spinal stability, and safe movement after surgery.
• Attend all follow-up appointments so your physician can assess your response and adjust your plan.
• If you are trialing spinal cord stimulation, your physician will review your results with you before discussing a permanent implant.
• Healthy weight, regular low-impact exercise, and good posture habits help protect the operated spine and the levels around it.

Patient attending follow-up recovery session at a Southern California pain clinic for long-term pain relief

Why Choose Integrative Sports & Spine?

A Fresh Look at Your Diagnosis
‍Pain after surgery is often treated as one problem when it may be several. Our physicians review your operative history and imaging with fresh eyes and use diagnostic blocks to find out what is causing your pain today, not just what was fixed during surgery.

A Full Range of Non-Surgical Options
‍From epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks to radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation, our clinic offers interventional treatments commonly used for post-surgical spine pain. You receive the option that fits your diagnosis at each stage of care.

Fluoroscopic Precision Around Surgical Hardware
Spines that have had surgery can have altered anatomy, scar tissue, and implanted hardware. We use real-time fluoroscopic guidance for spinal procedures so each treatment reaches its intended target as safely as possible.

Care That Works With Your Surgeon
‍We focus on non-surgical care, but we do not work in isolation. When your evaluation suggests a problem that may need surgical review, such as hardware concerns or progressive nerve weakness, we coordinate with spine surgeons so you get the right care.

Advanced pain management equipment used by specialists at our Southern California clinics in Riverside, Alhambra, Long Beach, and City of Industry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is failed back surgery syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome, also called post-laminectomy syndrome or persistent spinal pain syndrome, describes back or leg pain that continues or returns after spine surgery. It is not a single diagnosis. The pain can come from a recurrent disc herniation, scar tissue around a nerve, wear at levels next to a fusion, lasting nerve irritation, or joints that were not part of the original surgery.

Does failed back surgery syndrome mean my surgeon made a mistake?

Not necessarily. Many cases happen even when the surgery was performed well and the original problem was corrected. The spine can develop new problems after surgery, scar tissue forms as part of normal healing, and some sources of pain are not ones surgery is designed to treat. Our focus is on identifying what is causing your pain now.

Will I need another back surgery?

Many patients with FBSS can manage their pain without another operation. Non-surgical options include epidural steroid injections, facet and SI joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, medication management, and physical therapy. If your evaluation shows a problem that may need surgical correction, such as loose hardware or worsening nerve weakness, we will refer you to a spine surgeon.

How does spinal cord stimulation help after back surgery?

Spinal cord stimulation uses a small implanted device to send mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, which can interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. It is commonly used for persistent nerve pain in the back or legs after surgery. Every patient completes a trial first, so you can see how much it helps before deciding on a permanent implant. Results vary from person to person.

Can I get injections if I have screws, rods, or a fusion?

In most cases, yes. Fluoroscopic guidance lets our physicians see the hardware and the surrounding anatomy and place the needle accurately at the level being treated. Your physician will review your imaging and surgical history before recommending any procedure.

Is failed back surgery syndrome treatment covered by insurance?

Epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation are covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare and PPO plans, when medical necessity criteria are met. Our team verifies your coverage before your appointment and explains your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

Logos of major insurance providers accepted at our pain management clinics

Insurance Coverage

At Integrative Sports & Spine, we work with most major insurance providers to make care for pain after back surgery straightforward and affordable. Our team verifies your benefits before your first appointment and provides a clear explanation of your coverage and any anticipated costs before treatment begins.

We Accept

• Medicare
• PPO Plans
• Self-Pay Options Available

Financial Policy
‍• Insurance verification completed prior to appointment
• Co-payments and deductibles due at time of service
• Self-pay options available with transparent pricing
• Flexible payment plans for eligible treatments

Our Patients Love Us

Robert G.

Google review, Long Beach clinic

"The team at ISS is awesome! Everyone is so friendly and caring. During my consult with Dr Seko, he made me feel so at ease. He's very knowledgeable, straightforward and kind. He did my first epidural today and I feel great! Best one I've ever had."

Five out of five star rating icon representing the highest possible satisfaction score

Magaly C.

Google review, Long Beach clinic

"The team here is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely compassionate. They take the time to understand your needs, listen to concerns, and create a treatment plan that actually works."

Evony G.

Google review, Long Beach clinic

"I had a great experience at Integrative Sports and Spine with Dr. Seko and the amazing staff. I was really nervous about getting my trigger point injections, but they went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable."

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatment in Southern California

Quick Overview

Same-Day

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All Clinics

Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and How We Treat It

Benefits of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatment

Finding the Real Source of Pain

Non-Surgical Options Before Another Operation

Spinal Cord Stimulation With a Trial First

Rehabilitation That Supports Long-Term Function

Conditions We Treat

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Before Your Treatment

During the Procedure

After Your Treatment

Why Choose Integrative Sports & Spine?

Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Coverage

Our Patients Love Us

Ready to Find Relief After Back Surgery?

Related Services

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Epidural Steroid Injections

Radiofrequency Ablation