Spinal Cord Stimulation Versus Instrumentation for FBSS

Low back pain affects people of all ages and has become the leading cause of living with disability worldwide. Patients, suffering from persistent pain after spinal surgery in the absence of any clear spinal pathology are defined of having a "failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)" and treatment of FBSS remains a great controversy in the spinal community. Apart from conservative treatment, spinal fusion remains as therapeutic option. Furthermore, minimal invasive Neuromodulation techniques might be a promising alternative. Aim of this randomized interventional multi center study is to compare treatment success in FBSS patients with either spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or fusion surgery, 12 months after intervention according to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and other scales and scores. Radiological and health economic outcome also will be analysed for thorough comparison of techniques. Additionally, the safety of the interventions needs to be compared.