title: Optimal medical, rehabilitation and behavioral management in the setting of failed back surgery syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) constitutes a constellation of symptoms grouped together and attributed to prior surgical intervention. Clinicians often poorly understand the heterogeneity of this condition combined with the etiological factors responsible for its development. Therefore, it would follow that an algorithmic treatment approach to patients diagnosed with this syndrome might pose challenges. The clinical work-up of the patient involves history, examination and appropriate diagnostic imaging as well as behavioral assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We sought to conduct a narrative review of the available literature focused on the medical, rehabilitative and behavioral treatment of FBSS. To that end, we conducted a literature search using PubMed (through March 2013). We focused on studies published over the last 20years. Only English language articles were included. Search terms included "failed back surgery syndrome", "FBSS", "failed back syndrome", and "post-laminectomy syndrome". Studies included in our review focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, and case series (retrospective and prospective). Studies were organized by intervention (e.g. medical management, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and psychosocial) and presented to emphasize the quality of evidence (e.g. RCTs, prospective studies, etc.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the literature provides very limited guidance on the comprehensive management of patients suffering from FBSS. There are rehabilitative interventions and behavioral protocols that demonstrate promise. Pathways based on medication management remain difficult to clearly define.
authors.affiliation: International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, Washington DC, USA. Electronic address: mehuljdesaimd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.affiliation: Department of neurosurgery, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France; N(3)Lab (Neuromodulation & Neural Networks), Inserm CIC 802, Poitiers university hospital, Poitiers, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rigoard
authors.affiliation: Department of psychiatry and of anesthesiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D055111:Failed Back Surgery Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Behavioral management; Failed back surgery syndrome; Lombo-radiculalgies postopératoires; Optimal medical management; Post-laminectomy syndrome; Prise en charge médicale optimale; Rehabilitation; Réhabilitation; Syndrome post-laminectomie; Évaluation comportementale