Successful treatment of failed back surgery syndrome with an ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint block: a report of two cases

The incidence of low back pain is steadily on a rise. Although pain management has rapidly emerged as a specialty during the recent few decades, many patients are still subjected to surgical treatment by the neurosurgeons. The success rate with surgery remains highly variable, and many patients continue to suffer from persistent pain, and this condition is termed as 'failed back surgery syndrome'. The current case report of two cases highlights the role of sacroiliac joint dysfunction in 'failed back surgery syndrome' and outlines the ultrasound guided intervention of these joints with successful outcome. It stresses the need to explore all possible varied causes of the persistent pain and not to focus one's concentration only at the spinal column. Key words: Failed back surgery syndrome; Pain; Low back pain; Surgery, Spinal