Causes and Solutions for Unresolved Pain After Spine Surgery

Still in pain after spine surgery? You’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not out of options. If your surgical procedure didn’t align with your expectations and deliver the relief you were looking for, or your symptoms have returned, it may have left you feeling frustrated about where to turn next. In the latest episode of the Get Back to Your Life® podcast, VSI spine surgeons Dr. Christopher Good and Dr. Ehsan Jazini tackle a common challenge patients nationwide face: failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

In this podcast, you’ll learn:

• What “failed back surgery syndrome” is (and how it’s often misunderstood)
• Why expectations and communication matter as much as the procedure itself
• Red flags to watch for during spine surgery recovery
• How to know when it’s time for a second opinion
• How a collaborative spine care model helps patients get back to their lives—even after surgery has failed them elsewhere

What Is a Failed Spine Surgery?

“Any surgery where a patient didn’t get the result they wanted or expected…can potentially fall under the category of failed spine surgery,” says Dr. Good​. This doesn’t always mean something went wrong and can be as subtle as not recovering on time, experiencing lingering pain, or the recovery process not meeting the patient’s expectations.

Dr. Jazini explains, “Some surgeries, the recovery is really fast, and some surgeries may be up to a year… if that mismatch is there, then you have an unhappy patient, and regardless of how well technically you may do that surgery, I would consider that a failed surgery.”​

Exploring the Causes of Unresolved Pain After Spine Surgery

According to Dr. Good and Dr. Jazini, there are five primary reasons spine surgeries fail to meet the expectations of the patient and provide pain relief:

1. Inaccurate diagnosis: Not fully getting to the root cause of the pain.
2. Poor preparation: A lack of pre-surgical optimization and preparation.
3. Improper technique: Choosing the wrong surgical method or lacking access to advanced technology.
4. Incomplete surgery: Only treating immediate problematic areas of the spine instead of anticipating complications at other levels of the spine in the future.
5. Post-op complications or inadequate healing: Infections and structural failures can pose an unexpected challenge post-op.

These issues can stem from limited time spent with patients, rushed diagnostics, or choosing a one-size-fits-all approach. At VSI, the focus is on individualized, holistic care with a model prioritizing quality time with patients.

When to Seek a Second Opinion about Your Back Pain After Surgery

If you’re not improving steadily in the months following surgery, it’s time to re-evaluate. “Every day should be a little bit better,” says Dr. Jazini. “If you’re not, then we’re missing something.”​

Red flags to watch for:

• Worsening pain
• Fever or drainage
• New weakness or numbness
• Feeling dismissed or unheard by your current provider

“You should see your doctor more frequently,” advises Dr. Good. “And if you can’t get in or you’ve lost trust, that’s the time to get another opinion.”​

Watch the Podcast on YouTube

The VSI Approach to Enhanced Spine Surgery Recovery – Backed by Research, Led by Innovation

At VSI, recovery doesn’t end when the surgery is over. “Surgery is only part of the journey,” Dr. Jazini emphasizes. “Recovery requires active participation: pain management, therapy, strength training, and lifestyle changes.”

Our surgical team established a multi-model set of nationwide protocols called Enhanced Recovery after Surgery, or ERAS. This effective approach is designed to minimize complications, reduce pain, and help patients get back to life faster.

At VSI, every patient gets:

• A pre-op consultation focused entirely on understanding the recovery journey
• A customized recovery plan with post-op goals, physical therapy, pain control strategies, and lifestyle guidance
• Integrated care from a multidisciplinary team of spine surgeons, pain specialists, and physical therapists, all working together to ensure a smooth recovery

And perhaps most importantly, “Your surgeon should be a guide, not just a technician,” Dr. Jazini explains. “It’s like having someone install an HVAC system and never explaining how to maintain it.”​

There are Solutions for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Not all is lost after a failed procedure. Many patients find their biggest improvements come after revision surgery as a treatment for failed back surgery. VSI specializes in complex revision cases and offers tools like robotic guidance, motion-preserving technologies, and multidisciplinary care. “We’re not just fixing hardware,” Dr. Good adds. “We’re helping people reclaim their quality of life.”