There is currently limited evidence in the published medical literature to make a more objective discussion of how stem cell therapy may help patients with failed back surgery syndrome or Postoperative chronic back pain syndrome.
Stem cell therapy may offer pain relief by way of anti-inflammatory effects and promoting regenerative tissue repair. In theory, stem cells taken from the patient’s bone marrow, can develop into specialized cells such as muscle, cartilage, and bone. When injected into the spine, these cells facilitate the rebuilding of damaged tissues. Further, stem cells anti-inflammatory effects may lead to notable pain relief and improved mobility
Related research
A study from February 2026 (1) aimed to investigate the long-term connections between Postoperative chronic back pain syndrome and the risks of psychiatric disorders, brain diseases, and mortality. The research involved 603,272 individuals who underwent lumbar spinal surgery between 2009 and 2023. They identified Postoperative chronic back pain syndrome using three criteria: having a diagnosis code for post-laminectomy syndrome, receiving a gabapentinoid prescription for at least 12 weeks, or undergoing surgery. The main outcomes evaluated included psychiatric disorders (like anxiety, depression, and insomnia), brain disorders (including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia), and overall mortality. In the cohort, 169,796 patients (28.1%) met at least one of the criteria for Postoperative chronic back pain syndrome. This condition was significantly linked to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, specifically anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It was also associated with a higher risk of brain disorders, with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia all showing increased risks. Moreover, patients with Postoperative chronic back pain syndrome had a higher risk of all-cause mortality. These associations were consistent across different definitions of PCBPS and in various stratified analyses.
1 Park D, Lee WR, Bang M, Park SJ, Kim JH, Kim HS. Impact of Postoperative Chronic Back Pain Syndrome on the Incidence of Psychiatric and Brain Disorders, and All-Cause Mortality. Journal of Pain Research. 2026 Dec 31;19(0):12475851.
