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The prevalence rate of FBSS varies from 10% to 40%. In the general population, spinal stenosis occurs at a rate of between 2% to 13%.

When you arrive at the medical facility, a nurse will explain the procedure and have you sign an informed consent form. This means you give permission for the procedure. The nurse will place an IV catheter in your arm, which is used for fluids or medication. A sedative will be given before surgery to allow you to feel relaxed.

The medical staff will monitor you with several devices, including:

. Heart monitor - Called an electrocardiogram (ECG), sticky electrode pads are placed on the skin, and wires run to a device that projects your heart’s electrical activity onto a rhythm strip.
. Pulse oximeter - This device is used to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. This is a sticky strip placed on the finger or toe to detect the oxygen level in your bloodstream.
. Blood pressure monitor - A cuff will be attached to your arm or wrist to monitor your blood pressure during the procedure.

Once you are in the surgery area, the doctor will use an anesthetic to numb the skin over your spine. A needle with a catheter will be inserted into the lower back, which will feel like pressure, and the needle is removed. The doctor will inject dye to visualize the nerves and scar tissue on a screen using x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy).

Through the catheter, the doctor will free the nerves from the scar tissue using small tools. In addition, a mixture of anesthetic and steroid medication is injected onto the nerves. After this, the catheter is removed and a bandage is applied.

After the adhesiolysis procedure, you will be taken to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your condition and watch for potential complications. You will not be allowed to get out of bed until you are stable. Antibiotics are given to prevent a bacterial infection, and you will be given some prescription pain medicine.

You will be asked to walk around the same day of surgery or the day after to prevent blood clots. In addition, you will have to perform exercises in bed to maintain strength.

According to a randomized controlled study of adhesiolysis for low back pain and leg pain, a significantly high percentage of patients in the treatment group reported 50% of pain reduction following the procedure. In a recent clinical study, adhesiolysis had a 82% success rate, with pain reduction lasting over 2 years.

As with any minor surgery, some risks and complications are associated with the epidural adhesiolysis procedure. These include:

Spinal fluid leakage
Injury to spinal cord, nerves, and/or blood vessels
Pain after surgery
Allergic reaction to medication
Infection