[Psychosomatic aspects of failed back syndrome: why low back pain becomes a chronic disorder]

Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread disorder. The socioeconomic costs caused by LBP have been increasing dramatically over the past years. These high costs are mainly due to the relatively small percentage of chronic cases. Although the multitude of empirical findings available thus far offer an impressive body of knowledge about the mechanisms and factors responsible for chronification, most LBP-patients are still being treated without their psychosocial situation being taken into account. In addition to providing a discussion of the reasons underlying this imbalance along with a review of our present understanding of Failed Back Syndrome, this article also serves as an argument in favor of an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of pain.