Spinal Decompression for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome in Naperville IL

Quick Facts: Spinal Decompression for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Key Takeaways

• Failed back surgery syndrome affects 10-40% of spine surgery patients—you’re not alone
• Non-surgical spinal decompression can help many FBSS patients, including those with fusions
• Fusion patients CAN receive decompression when properly evaluated (1+ year post-surgery, stable fusion, adjacent levels targeted)
• Success rates of 71-89% reported in clinical studies
• Multi-modal treatment addressing disc compression, inflammation, and nerve damage yields best results

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Introduction: When Back Surgery Doesn’t Deliver the Relief You Expected

You’ve already been through back surgery—maybe more than one. You took a risk, went through recovery, and hoped for relief. But the pain is still there. Maybe it’s the same pain. Maybe it’s different. Maybe it’s even worse.

If this sounds familiar, you may have what’s called failed back surgery syndrome. And if you’ve been told that more surgery or pain medications are your only options, we want you to know: they’re not.

At Synergy Institute in Naperville, Dr. Jennifer Wise has been helping patients with complex spine conditions since 2000. “Failed back surgery syndrome patients have been through a lot,” Dr. Wise explains. “They had pain, they took a chance on surgery hoping for relief, and now they’re still hurting—sometimes worse than before. They’ve often been told there’s nothing left to try, or that more surgery is their only option. I understand that frustration. After 25 years, I’ve seen how devastating it is to feel like you’re out of options.”

The good news? Non-surgical spinal decompression may offer relief—even if you have a spinal fusion. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly what failed back surgery syndrome is, why it happens, and how our multi-modal treatment approach has helped many FBSS patients finally find the relief they’ve been searching for.

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What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)—also called post-laminectomy syndrome—is a condition where patients continue to experience chronic back pain, leg pain, or neurological symptoms after one or more spinal surgeries.¹ FBSS affects 10-40% of spine surgery patients and doesn’t mean the surgery was performed incorrectly—it means the procedure didn’t provide the lasting relief you hoped for.

Research shows that FBSS affects approximately 10-40% of patients who undergo lumbar spine surgery.² A 2017 Japanese study found that 20.6% of spine surgery patients met the criteria for FBSS.³ That means hundreds of thousands of Americans are living with persistent pain after back surgery—and many don’t know there are effective non-surgical options available.

The symptoms of FBSS can include:

• Persistent or recurring low back pain
• Radiating leg pain (sciatica)
• Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
• Muscle weakness
• Limited mobility
• Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods

🚨 Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Progressive leg weakness (getting worse over days)
• Saddle numbness (numbness in the groin/inner thigh area)
• Fever combined with severe back pain
• Sudden, severe pain with numbness in both legs

These symptoms may indicate cauda equina syndrome or infection and require emergency evaluation.

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Why Does Back Surgery Fail? Common Causes of FBSS

Understanding why your surgery didn’t provide lasting relief is the first step toward finding a solution that works. Here are the most common causes of failed back surgery syndrome:

1. Adjacent Segment Disease

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is degeneration of the spinal segments directly above or below a spinal fusion.This is one of the leading causes of pain after spinal fusion surgery. When vertebrae are fused together, they can no longer move. This puts extra stress on the discs and joints above and below the fusion, causing them to degenerate faster than they normally would.

Research shows that adjacent segment disease develops at a rate of 2-3% per year after fusion surgery.⁴ One study found that 36% of patients developed adjacent segment degeneration within 10 years of their initial fusion.⁵

This is exactly where non-surgical decompression can help—by treating the adjacent levels that are now bearing extra stress.

2. Epidural Fibrosis (Scar Tissue)

Every surgery creates scar tissue. After spinal surgery, this scar tissue can form around the nerve roots in the epidural space—a condition called epidural fibrosis. Studies show that 24-100% of patients develop some degree of scar tissue after back surgery, and it’s responsible for 20-36% of FBSS cases.⁶

Scar tissue can tether nerves, restrict their normal movement, and cause ongoing pain and dysfunction.

3. Recurrent Disc Herniation

Even after successful disc surgery, the disc can herniate again. Research indicates that recurrent disc herniation occurs in 5-15% of patients after discectomy.⁷ The same disc can re-herniate, or a different level can develop problems.

4. Incomplete Decompression

Sometimes the surgery doesn’t fully address all the structures causing nerve compression. There may be residual stenosis, foraminal narrowing, or other factors that continue to pinch nerves after surgery.

5. Wrong Surgical Level

In some cases, surgery is performed at a level that wasn’t actually the primary pain generator. While this is less common with modern imaging, it still occurs.

6. Hardware Problems

For fusion patients, issues with screws, rods, or cages can cause ongoing pain. Hardware can loosen, shift, or irritate surrounding tissues.

7. Ongoing Degeneration

The spine continues to age after surgery. Degenerative disc disease doesn’t stop just because you had an operation.

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Can Spinal Decompression Help After Back Surgery?

Yes. Non-surgical spinal decompression can help many FBSS patients—including those with spinal fusions.

Here’s why: Most FBSS pain comes from structures that weren’t fused or that have developed new problems since surgery. Spinal decompression works by gently creating space between vertebrae, reducing pressure on discs and nerves. This can help with:

• Adjacent segment disease (treating the levels above/below your fusion)
• Recurrent disc herniation
• Residual nerve compression
• Ongoing disc degeneration

Research supports the effectiveness of non-surgical spinal decompression. A Mayo Clinic study found an 88.9% success rate in patients with chronic back pain treated with decompression therapy.⁸ Another study showed that 86% of patients reported significant pain reduction.⁹

How Decompression Works:

At Synergy Institute, we use the Back On Trac system by Ergo-Flex—an FDA-cleared decompression device that’s quite different from older traction tables. The Back On Trac:

• Uses axial distraction (gentle separation of vertebrae)
• Incorporates bilateral lateral flexion (side-to-side movement)
• Creates negative intradiscal pressure (as low as -100 to -160 mmHg)¹⁰
• Includes heat and vibration therapy
• Has 21 automated protocols for precise treatment
• Requires NO harness, NO pelvic belt—you simply recline comfortably

This negative pressure acts like a vacuum, helping to draw bulging disc material back into place while promoting nutrient flow into damaged discs.

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Can You Get Spinal Decompression If You Have a Fusion?

This is one of the most common questions we hear—and for good reason. Many patients have been told that decompression “isn’t an option” because they have hardware in their spine.

The truth? We successfully treat many spinal fusion patients with decompression.

“I’ve had patients come in convinced they’d never get relief because they have a fusion,” says Dr. Wise. “They’ve been told decompression isn’t an option for them. But we’ve treated many fusion patients over the years, and when we follow the right parameters, they do very well.”

Our Protocol for Post-Fusion Patients:

1. Minimum 1 year post-surgery — The fusion needs time to fully stabilize
2. Confirmed stable fusion — We review your imaging to verify fusion integrity
3. Treatment targets adjacent levels — We decompress the segments above and below your fusion, NOT the fused segment itself
4. Full evaluation required — Every patient receives comprehensive assessment before treatment

Since adjacent segment disease is one of the leading causes of pain after fusion surgery—and spinal decompression specifically helps decompress those adjacent levels—this treatment makes sense for many fusion patients.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Spinal Decompression After Surgery?

You may be a good candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression if you have:

• Persistent pain 6+ months after surgery
• Adjacent segment disease or degeneration
• Recurrent disc herniation
• Residual radiculopathy (nerve pain)
• A stable spinal fusion (at least 1 year old)
• Degenerative disc disease at non-fused levels
• No absolute contraindications (see below)

Who Should NOT Get Decompression After Surgery?

We believe in being upfront about limitations. You may NOT be a candidate if you have:

• Unstable hardware — Loose screws or shifting instrumentation
• Recent fusion — Less than 1 year since surgery
• Severe osteoporosis — Significantly weakened bones
• Spinal tumors or cancer — Requires medical/surgical management
• Active spinal infection — Requires immediate medical treatment
• Cauda equina syndrome — Requires emergency surgery
• Progressive neurological deficits — Getting worse, not stable
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm — Contraindicates distraction
• Pregnancy — Decompression not appropriate during pregnancy

Dr. Wise will be upfront if another approach would serve you better. “Not everyone is a candidate, and I’d rather tell you that honestly than have you spend time and money on something that won’t help,” she explains.

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The Synergy Multi-Modal Approach to FBSS

Here’s what sets Synergy Institute apart from other clinics: We don’t just do decompression and hope for the best.

“After 25 years of treating complex spine cases, I’ve learned that failed back surgery syndrome rarely has just one cause—so it rarely responds to just one treatment,” says Dr. Wise. “Most clinics just do decompression and hope for the best. But FBSS patients have been through a lot—their nerves are irritated, their discs are damaged, and there’s often significant inflammation. We layer treatments to address the whole picture.”

Our Integrated Treatment Protocol for FBSS:

This integrative approach addresses multiple factors simultaneously: decompression creates space, laser and SoftWave reduce inflammation, and electrotherapy helps damaged nerve and disc tissue heal at the cellular level.

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Treatment Options Compared: FBSS

How do FBSS treatments compare? Here’s an evidence-based comparison of the most common options:

*Costs are approximate and vary by provider, location, and insurance coverage.

Key insight: Research shows that repeat surgery has diminishing returns. While more than 50% of primary spinal surgeries are successful, only 30% of second surgeries succeed, dropping to 15% for third surgeries and just 5% for fourth surgeries.¹²

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What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment at Synergy Institute includes:

1. Comprehensive History Review — We’ll discuss your surgical history, current symptoms, what you’ve tried, and what hasn’t worked.
2. Imaging Analysis — Bring any recent MRIs, X-rays, or CT scans. We’ll review them to understand your current spinal anatomy and identify treatment targets.
3. Physical Examination — Dr. Wise will perform a thorough evaluation of your spine, neurological function, and movement patterns.
4. Candidacy Assessment — We’ll determine if spinal decompression is appropriate for your specific situation. If you have a fusion, we’ll verify it’s stable and identify the adjacent levels to target.
5. Customized Treatment Plan — If you’re a candidate, we’ll create a personalized protocol that may include decompression plus other complementary treatments.

Typical Treatment Timeline:

• Sessions: 15-20 treatments
• Frequency: 2-3 times per week initially
• Duration: Each session is approximately 15-20 minutes
• Full course: 6-8 weeks
• Additional modalities: Laser therapy, electrotherapy, and chiropractic adjustments are often integrated throughout

Many patients begin noticing improvement within the first 2-4 weeks of treatment, though individual results vary.

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Supporting Your Recovery: Home Strategies and Lifestyle Modifications

While professional treatment is essential for FBSS, there are strategies you can use at home to support your recovery. These approaches complement—but don’t replace—your treatment plan.

Immediate Relief Strategies

Gentle Movement Complete bed rest is rarely recommended for FBSS. Instead, short walks (10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily) can help reduce stiffness and promote circulation without stressing your spine.

Heat and Ice Therapy

• Ice: 15-20 minutes at a time for acute flare-ups or inflammation
• Heat: 15-20 minutes for muscle tension and stiffness
• Alternate as needed, always with a barrier between skin and temperature source

Supportive Positioning When sitting, use a lumbar support pillow. When sleeping, try placing a pillow between your knees (side sleepers) or under your knees (back sleepers) to reduce spinal stress.

Long-Term Lifestyle Modifications

Core Stabilization Gentle core exercises—when approved by your healthcare provider—can help support your spine. Focus on stability, not strength training. Exercises like pelvic tilts and gentle bridges can help without straining your back.

Weight Management Every 10 pounds of excess weight adds approximately 40 pounds of pressure on your lumbar spine. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on adjacent segments—especially important after fusion surgery.

Posture Awareness Poor posture increases pressure on spinal discs and nerves. Be mindful of:

• Sitting posture at work (feet flat, screen at eye level)
• Avoiding prolonged static positions
• Taking movement breaks every 30-45 minutes

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Some patients find relief by reducing inflammatory foods and increasing:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed)
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Turmeric and ginger (natural anti-inflammatory properties)

Synergy Institute offers FREE nutritional assessments to identify potential deficiencies that may be affecting your healing.

Important: These home strategies should complement professional treatment. If your symptoms worsen or you experience any emergency warning signs, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

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FBSS Treatment in Naperville: Why Choose Synergy Institute

Experience and Expertise

Dr. Jennifer Wise, DC

• Since 2000: Over 25 years treating complex spine conditions including FBSS
• Founded Synergy Institute in 1999
• Specialized Training: Advanced certification in spinal decompression therapy
• Thousands of Patients: Successfully treated patients who were told they had “no options left”

Multidisciplinary Team Approach What sets Synergy Institute apart is our integrated team:

• Doctor of Chiropractic (Dr. Wise)
• Licensed Acupuncturists
• Trained therapy technicians
• Coordinated treatment plans—everyone working together for your recovery

Advanced Treatment Technology

We invest in the latest evidence-based technology because FBSS patients deserve more than outdated approaches:

• Back On Trac Spinal Decompression — FDA-cleared, computerized precision
• SoftWave Therapy — Regenerative shockwave technology
• MLS Laser & K-Laser — Dual-wavelength pain and inflammation reduction
• Stimpod & ReBuilder — Advanced nerve regeneration therapy
• Cryotherapy — Targeted inflammation control

Convenient Naperville Location

Serving DuPage and Will County:

• Naperville
• Plainfield
• Bolingbrook
• Aurora
• Oswego
• Lisle
• Wheaton

Our Office: 4931 Illinois Route 59, Suite 121 Naperville, IL 60564

Phone: (630) 355-8022 Call/Text: (630) 454-1300

Hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9am – 6pm
• Tuesday, Thursday: 2pm – 6pm
• Saturday: By appointment

Insurance and Payment Options

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Aetna
• United Healthcare
• Cigna
• Most major insurance carriers accepted

Payment Plans Available: We believe cost shouldn’t prevent you from getting relief. Ask about our flexible payment options.

Free Consultation: Not sure if we can help? Call (630) 355-8022 for a free phone consultation to discuss your case.

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Frequently Asked Questions About FBSS and Spinal Decompression

Answers to the most common questions from patients considering non-surgical treatment after failed back surgery.

What is failed back surgery syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is persistent or recurring back pain, leg pain, or neurological symptoms after spinal surgery. It doesn’t mean your surgery was performed incorrectly—it means the surgery didn’t provide the lasting relief you hoped for. FBSS affects 10-40% of spine surgery patients.²

Why does back surgery fail?

Common causes include adjacent segment disease (stress on levels above/below fusion), scar tissue formation, recurrent disc herniation, incomplete decompression, and ongoing spinal degeneration.

What percentage of back surgeries fail?

Research shows 10-40% of spine surgery patients develop FBSS.² Success rates decrease with repeat surgeries: 50% success for first surgery, 30% for second, 15% for third, and only 5% for fourth surgery.¹²

Can you get spinal decompression after spinal fusion?

Yes. At Synergy Institute, we successfully treat many fusion patients. The key is waiting at least 1 year post-surgery, confirming the fusion is stable, and targeting the adjacent levels (above and below the fusion) rather than the fused segment itself.

How long after back surgery can you do spinal decompression?

For fusion patients, we recommend waiting at least 1 year to allow the fusion to fully stabilize. For non-fusion surgeries like discectomy, patients may be candidates sooner—typically 3-6 months post-surgery, depending on healing.

Is failed back surgery syndrome permanent?

Not necessarily. While FBSS can be chronic, many patients find significant relief through appropriate treatment. Non-surgical spinal decompression, when combined with complementary therapies, has helped many FBSS patients improve their quality of life.

What is the best treatment for failed back surgery syndrome?

There’s no single “best” treatment—it depends on the cause of your pain. For many patients, non-surgical spinal decompression combined with therapies like laser, electrotherapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture provides significant relief without additional surgery.

Does insurance cover non-surgical spinal decompression?

Coverage varies by plan. Many insurance plans don’t cover spinal decompression, but some do cover portions of integrated care including chiropractic and acupuncture. We recommend checking with your provider. We also offer payment plans to make treatment accessible.

What is the success rate of spinal decompression?

Studies show 71-89% of patients report significant improvement with non-surgical spinal decompression.⁸⁻⁹ Success depends on proper patient selection, the underlying cause of pain, and compliance with the full treatment protocol.

How many spinal decompression sessions do I need?

A typical course is 15-20 sessions over 6-8 weeks. Some patients need fewer, some need more. Your treatment plan will be customized based on your condition and response to therapy.

Is spinal decompression better than surgery for FBSS?

For many FBSS patients, non-surgical decompression offers comparable relief without surgical risks, recovery time, or cost. However, some conditions—like severe instability or cauda equina syndrome—require surgery. We’ll be honest about which approach is best for your situation.

What is a spinal cord stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a surgically implanted device that delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord to mask pain signals. It’s often recommended for FBSS but has mixed results (50-75% effectiveness)¹¹ and requires surgery, hardware maintenance, and potential revisions.

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The Bottom Line: Relief Is Possible After Failed Back Surgery

Can spinal decompression help after failed back surgery? Yes—research shows 71-89% of patients experience significant improvement with non-surgical spinal decompression, and many fusion patients are candidates when properly evaluated.

Failed back surgery syndrome doesn’t have to be the end of your story. While you’ve been through a lot—and may have been told there’s nothing left to try—the truth is that non-surgical options exist that could finally provide the relief you’ve been searching for.

At Synergy Institute in Naperville, we specialize in complex spine cases that haven’t responded to conventional treatment. Our integrative approach combines spinal decompression with chiropractic care, acupuncture, SoftWave therapy, laser therapy, and advanced electrotherapy to address not just your disc—but the inflammation, nerve damage, and mechanical dysfunction that contribute to your pain.

Ready to find out if we can help you?

📞 Call: (630) 355-8022
📱 Text: (630) 454-1300
📍 Visit: 4931 Illinois Route 59, Suite 121, Naperville IL 60564

We serve patients throughout Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, and the surrounding DuPage and Will County communities.

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Medical Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions or beginning any treatment program. Never delay or disregard professional medical advice based on information from this article.

The content on this page represents the experience and opinions of Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic and Dr. Jennifer Wise, DC. Individual results may vary. The treatments and outcomes described are not guaranteed and may not be typical for all patients.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

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References

1. International Association for the Study of Pain. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome definition and classification.
2. Northwestern Medicine. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Overview. https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/neurosciences/failed-back-surgery-syndrome
3. Inoue S, et al. Prevalence, characteristics, and burden of failed back surgery syndrome. Pain Medicine. 2017;18(4):680-689. PMC5388346
4. Park P, et al. Adjacent segment disease after lumbar or lumbosacral fusion: review of the literature. Spine. 2004;29(17):1938-1944. PMID: 15534420
5. Ghiselli G, et al. Adjacent segment degeneration in the lumbar spine. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86(7):1497-1503.
6. Bosscher HA, Heavner JE. Incidence and severity of epidural fibrosis after back surgery: an endoscopic study. Pain Practice. 2010;10(1):18-24.
7. Yao Y, et al. Recurrent lumbar disc herniation: prevention and treatment. Neurosurgical Focus. 2024.
8. Leslie J. Mayo Clinic spinal decompression study. Presented at 18th Annual Meeting American Academy of Pain Management, Tampa, FL. 2007.
9. Gionis TA, Groteke E. Spinal decompression. Orthopedic Technology Review. 2003;5(6):36-39.
10. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurgery. 1994;81:350-353.
11. PMC5165011. Spinal Cord Stimulation in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Review of Clinical Use, Quality of Life and Cost-Effectiveness.
12. PMC5913031. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Review Article. Asian Spine Journal. 2018.
13. Radcliff KE, et al. Adjacent segment disease in the lumbar spine following different treatment interventions. Spine Journal. 2013;13(10):1339-1349.
14. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Risk factors for failed back surgery syndrome following open posterior lumbar surgery. 2022.
15. PMC8924735. Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022.