Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome - Evaluation and Management

Spine Complications

A 52-year-old man presents with persistent leg pain 18 months after L4/5 microdiscectomy. He reports the pain improved initially but recurred at 6 months. He describes radicular pain in the L5 distribution with associated numbness. MRI with gadolinium is ordered. The pain management team has been consulted. Regarding failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS):

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

FBSS is a diagnosis of exclusion occurring in 10-40% of patients after lumbar spine surgery despite ...

B

MRI with gadolinium is the gold standard for distinguishing epidural scar from recurrent disc hernia...

C

Revision surgery for epidural fibrosis has excellent outcomes with 90% success rates; spinal cord st...

D

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective for radicular pain in FBSS, providing 50% or greater pain...

E

Prevention of FBSS is paramount and includes correct preoperative diagnosis, intraoperative level ve...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option