Failed disk syndrome.

Over half the patients in most pain clinics in the United States are seeking relief from the "failed disk syndrome." Careful initial diagnostic evaluation and aggressive nonoperative therapy are essential to avoid poor results. Causes of continued pain after disk surgery include original pain syndromes not due to a disk, inadequate surgery, development of arthritis, additional disk disorders and nerve root fibrosis. Treatment demands precise diagnosis. Diagnostic injections and nerve blocks are helpful when other techniques fail.