Lumbar spine injections
Posted , 10 users are following.
Has anyone had lumbar steroid injections ? I’ve got a chronic injury to lower back L4/L5 disc tear. Had a flare up and had a lot of lower back pain over the past week. I have been offered the injections for the second time , think I am going ahead with them this time, pain is easing now with physio but I want to go ahead with the injections anyway as back pain is so frequent . Would like to know anyones experiences of the injections and how effective they are
0 likes, 12 replies
CHICO_MARX lizg
Posted
Yup...no joy. Turned out to be a bone spur literally crushing my sciatic nerve root at L4. Simple decompressive laminectomy of L4 through S1 plus the spur removal. Pain gone instantly; residual nerve pain gone in a week. I don't do those shots. Very temporary relief if any at all for me. When my neurosurgeon knows the cause, I have him fix it...permanently.
karl37887 lizg
Posted
I've had 2 neither of which worked. Although I don't have back pain just sciatic pain in calf and ankle.
My surgeon told me 70% success rate and quite favourable results with leg pain.
Unfortunately I fell into 30% unsuccessful.
CHICO_MARX karl37887
Posted
Consider...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/sciatic-nerve-pain-from-the-perspective-of-many-decades-629096
Number 4 (the bone spur) required the spine surgery. 100% successful.
lizg karl37887
Posted
karl37887 lizg
Posted
I assume you've had an MRI and your doctors explained any benefits you might get from the injection?
My consultant radiologist told me that i may feel increased pain for a couple of days after the local had worn off then should get any effective improvement after 5-7 days. The risks are minimal compared to surgery. I'm sure your doctor wouldn't suggest it if he didn't feel it may be beneficial.
Although sounds to me like the physio is working. Have you discussed the injection with your PT?
CHICO_MARX karl37887
Posted
Do you have a definitive diagnosis? MRI may find it, else, the "gold standard" test for the spine is a CT/Myelogram with contrast. Gotta know what you're dealing with.
jimkim002 lizg
Posted
brian22573 lizg
Posted
I was unable to sit due to pain in my buttocks and legs, I had the injection in my lumber region almost between my buttocks (made my eyes water).
Unfortunately the results are not positive and I still cannot sit down and for some reason my sciatica has increased.
My next step is a spinal stimulator.
CHICO_MARX brian22573
Posted
valerie170549 lizg
Posted
Hello there ...
?No doubt about it .... GO AHEAD with the injections .... I have been having this treatment regularly every 6 months; they are AMAZING though they only work for approx. 2 months for me .... but I can at least rely on that short span of sweet relief before the crippling pain returns .. usually with biting vengeance!
Hope this helps ....
suzanne96889 lizg
Posted
I had 2 sets of these injections approx 4 months apart in 2013. Only recently have mild sciatica symptoms returned. At the time i had leg pain and couldn't feel left foot. Very little back pain at all. 1st set worked for about a month, 2nd lot for 5 years. Back a bit sore for 24hrs afterwards and worked within a week. Would have them again if bad enough. Was on amitryptilline + Naproxen + tramadol. Now occasional ibuprofen. Physio did not work for me at all - made back pain worse.
robbie93121 lizg
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