Failed Neck Surgery Syndrome

Failed neck surgery syndrome (FNSS) is a general term used to describe pain or discomfort that continues after a surgical procedure to the neck. Although most people experience satisfactory results from neck surgery, complications can arise. Chronic pain following neck surgery may come from recurrent damage to vertebrae or tissue in the cervical spine, inadequate healing of bone or tissue surrounding the surgical site, or from scar tissue formation.

Although failed neck surgery syndrome can be diagnosed using various imaging tools such as an MRI, CT scan, discogram, or X-ray, these methods are not the most dependable. Most times a physician will review a patient's surgical history, perform a physical examination, and check the patient's current symptoms before diagnosing him or her with FNSS.

The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center often treat FNSS with a wide variety of interventional and conservative therapies. Treatment options for FNSS may include injections, prescription pain medication, physical therapy, stem cell therapy, or a minimally invasive spine procedure like spinal cord stimulation. For more information on pain relieving treatments for FNSS, talk to the specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center.