Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Dr Deuk
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
You followed the advice. You did the surgery. You went through recovery. But the pain is still
there—or worse, it’s changed, intensified, or spread. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
What you’re experiencing has a name: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). And while it
may feel like the end of the road, it’s not. In fact, it could be the beginning of real healing.
At Deuk Spine Institute, we specialize in treating patients whose previous surgeries didn’t
deliver the relief they were promised. We understand the physical and emotional toll this takes.
We also know the solution isn’t “just live with it” or “try another round of shots.” The solution is
understanding what went wrong and fixing it with the right surgical strategy.
Let’s break down why back surgeries fail, how we diagnose the root cause, and what makes
Deuk Laser Disc Repair a proven fix when everything else has fallen short.
What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome isn’t one specific condition, it’s a general term used when a
patient continues to suffer from chronic back or neck pain after spinal surgery. The surgery may
have targeted the wrong source of pain, not gone deep enough, or created new problems
altogether.
It’s not your fault. Many patients are never told the risks of the procedures they undergo, and
they’re even less informed about the limitations of those surgeries.
Common Signs of FBSS Include:
- Persistent or worsened back or neck pain
- New or radiating nerve pain down the arms or legs
- Muscle weakness or numbness
- Dependence on pain medications
- Depression, frustration, or hopelessness
Why Do So Many Spinal Surgeries Fail?
This is one of the hardest truths to confront: most traditional spine surgeries are based on
outdated or overly generalized approaches. Patients are often funneled into spinal fusions or
discectomies without precision diagnostics or understanding the long-term effects.
Here are the leading causes of failed back surgeries:
1. The Wrong Diagnosis
Most surgical failures begin with an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis. If the true source of your
pain isn’t clearly identified, no surgery, no matter how well performed, can fix the problem.
Imaging like MRIs are often misread or interpreted without correlating with clinical symptoms.
At Deuk Spine, we use advanced diagnostics, including MRI neurography and selective nerve
root blocks, to pinpoint the exact source of pain before we even consider surgery.
2. Invasive and Damaging Procedures
Procedures like open spine surgery or spinal fusion often create more trauma than they solve.
Fusions, in particular, restrict natural motion, accelerate adjacent disc degeneration, and have a
high failure rate over time.
By contrast, Deuk Laser Disc Repair is a motion-preserving, minimally invasive procedure that
removes damaged disc tissue and leaves healthy structures intact. No hardware. No fusion.
3. Treating Symptoms Instead of Causes
Steroid injections, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and pain meds are often prescribed
again and again, but they don’t address the real structural issues causing the pain.
At Deuk Spine, we don’t manage pain—we eliminate it by targeting and repairing the root
cause.
The Emotional Toll of a Failed Surgery
The physical pain is hard enough, but the emotional burden of a failed surgery can be just as
devastating. We’ve met countless patients who feel betrayed by the medical system, embarrassed
about getting surgery in the first place, and scared to try anything else.
Here’s the truth: you didn’t fail. Your surgery did. You deserve better answers and better
outcomes.
The Deuk Spine Difference: How We Fix Failed Surgeries
We know making another medical decision is scary—especially after what you’ve been through.
That’s why we offer free MRI reviews to determine if you’re a candidate for our procedure.
You’ll get personalized feedback from our team, not an automated report. And you’ll get the
clarity you’ve been missing.
1. World-Class Diagnostics
We never rely on guesswork. Every case of FBSS begins with a deep dive into your medical
history, prior surgeries, imaging, and current symptoms. We re-evaluate your MRI with a fresh
perspective and apply functional testing to map pain to the exact disc or nerve root causing it.
This clarity is essential. Without it, you’re just gambling.
2. Deuk Laser Disc Repair
Our revolutionary procedure is unlike anything else offered elsewhere. Performed endoscopically
through a ¼-inch incision, Deuk Laser Disc Repair allows us to:
- Eliminate herniated or degenerated disc material with laser precision
- Preserve the healthy disc and natural motion
- Avoid hardware, screws, or fusion
- Deliver long-lasting, real pain relief
It’s outpatient. It’s safe. And it works—even after other surgeries have failed.
3. Proprietary Recovery Plan
We don’t just perform the procedure we support full recovery. Our minimally invasive approach
means less trauma to the body, which translates into faster healing, fewer complications, and
better long-term outcomes.
We guide you through every step with tailored rehabilitation, ensuring you return to life stronger
and pain-free.
Still Not Sure? Ask for a Free MRI Review
We know making another medical decision is scary—especially after what you’ve been through.
That’s why we offer free MRI reviews to determine if you’re a candidate for our procedure.
You’ll get personalized feedback from our team, not an automated report. And you’ll get the
clarity you’ve been missing.
FAQs: What You Need to Know
Q: How is Deuk Laser Disc Repair different from a traditional discectomy or fusion?
A: Our procedure is completely endoscopic and doesn’t involve removing bone or placing
hardware. It treats only the damaged disc tissue, which reduces trauma and preserves natural
spinal function.
Q: Can this really help if I’ve already had surgery?
A: Absolutely. We specialize in revision cases. Our diagnostics can detect what was missed the
first time, and our approach avoids the mistakes of traditional methods.
Q: Is this covered by insurance?
A: Many insurance plans cover consultation and imaging. The procedure itself may be out-of-
network, but we offer financing and support to help make treatment accessible.
Q: How do I know if I’m a candidate?
A: Start with a free MRI review. That alone could change your entire outlook.
The Bottom Line: There Is Hope
If you’re still living in pain after back surgery, don’t settle. Don’t assume more injections, pills,
or vague therapy will help. And don’t let anyone tell you that you have to “learn to live with it.”
At Deuk Spine, we believe you deserve more more clarity, more confidence, and more freedom
from pain.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome isn’t the end of the story.
It’s the beginning of your comeback.