Failed back
syndrome is typically not a disability
. However, if it prevents you from being able to work and you can prove it, it could be termed as a disability. If you can prove that the disability will last for at least 12 months, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.
Can you sue for failed back surgery syndrome?
You may be able to sue your doctor or surgeon for a failed back surgery only if your
doctor failed to warn you of the risks
that may occur after the surgery.
Can you sue for failed back syndrome?
Can I file a lawsuit for a failed back surgery? Even though you might have chosen the best surgeons, sometimes procedures fail. However, if the cause of the unsuccessful surgery is
negligence
you could take legal action and hold the hospital, doctor or surgeon accountable.
Is failed back surgery medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice law states that if an injury or death occurs because of a surgical error, and the error was caused by negligence or could have been prevented, the victim can file a surgery complications lawsuit in order to recover damages. However,
not all failed surgeries are medical malpractice
.
How common is failed back syndrome?
While published reports estimate the incidence of failed back surgery syndrome to be
between 20 – 40%
, the likelihood is considered greater with repeated surgery, and the condition will be more prevalent in regions where spinal surgery is more common.
What is the treatment for failed back surgery syndrome?
What are the Treatments for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome? Treatment for failed back surgery syndrome may include
physical therapy, nerve blocks, medications, injections or a chronic pain management program
. If the pain is possibly coming from the facet or sacroiliac joints, chiropractic care may be recommended.
What is a failed back syndrome?
Milby: The general definition of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is
persistent or recurrent symptoms in anybody who has had previous spinal surgery
. Patients might feel like they got better for a little while, but then started to get worse again.
What does a failed spinal fusion feel like?
Symptoms may include
chronic pain in the back, neck, or legs
, which can be dull or sharp, aching, burning, or radiating. The pain may continue after surgery or reappear several days or weeks afterward. It can worsen as scar tissue builds in the spinal nerve roots, which extend from the spinal cord.
What can go wrong with back surgery?
While your surgeon will explain the possible risks of your specific back or neck treatment, this article describes potential general complications of spine surgery:
anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, dural tear, infection, lung problems, and persistent pain
.
What happens when a fusion fails?
After any spine surgery,
a percentage of patients may still experience pain
. This is called failed back or failed fusion syndrome, which is characterized by intractable pain and an inability to return to normal activities. Surgery may be able to fix the condition but not eliminate the pain.
Can failed back syndrome be cured?
When your back hurts,
surgery
can seem like the last best hope. If you’ve tried—without success—nonsurgical treatment such as rest, physical therapy or corticosteroid shots, surgery may be the last resort. Surgery to fix a herniated disc or spinal stenosis is safe and effective.
What percentage of back surgeries fail?
What Percentage of Back Surgeries Fail? The American Society of Anesthesiologists estimates that
20 to 40% of back surgeries fail
. Patients having repeated back surgeries have a much higher chance of failure. One study found only 30% of second back surgeries are successful.
How is failed back syndrome diagnosed?
Imaging scans, such as
x-ray
, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide valuable information about your spinal disorder, its cause and helps to confirm a diagnosis.
Does a spinal fusion last forever?
The results of a fusion are permanent
. When the bones fuse as intended, it changes the natural mobility of your spine, affecting the area around the surgical site and in various body parts as well.
What is flat back syndrome?
Flatback syndrome occurs
when there is a loss either of lordosis or kyphosis or both
, making the spine straight. Persons with flatback syndrome appear stooped forward and often have difficulty standing up straight.
What if a spinal fusion doesn’t work?
An instrumented fusion can fail if there is not enough support to hold the spine while it is fusing. Therefore, spinal hardware (e.g.
pedicle screws
) may be used as an internal splint to hold the spine while it fuses after spine surgery.
