non-surgical treatment

Mrg, welcome to this forum!!!

First and foremost you need to seek the advice of a spinal surgeon. Seek out the best one in your area. Then make that imporftant appointment.

To answer you question - For me epidural injections (containing a corticosteroid) have helped to reduce my back pain. They do not work for everyone unfortunately.

Stay in touch and let us know what the spinal surgeon has to say.

RichT

Thanks Rich for the reply. How often do you get injections? Are they administered in the doctors office or at some sort of facility?

Thanks.

Hello Mrg,

I receive my epidural injections at the spine instutute that I go to. The doctors have their offices there, and also an excellent facility within the institute for giving the injections.

I received my first epidural injection on April 27, '07. That injection was given at the L3/L4 location to reduce the inflammation of a pinched nerve. The nerve was being pinched due to the associated bulging (perhaps ruptured) disc. At the time the pain was radiating from my back down into my right leg. The lower part of my leg had a tingling sensation. A week after the injection the pain in my leg was gone. A month after the injection the tingling sensation in my leg was gone. Today I still do not have any pain or tingling in my right leg.

The end of August or early September of '07 the pain in my lower back at the L5/S1 location was getting worse (Slipped L5/S1). So my PM doc gave me another injection in that area. It worked very well.

By the first part of April '08 the pain at the L5/S1 location was again getting worse, so I had another injection. It has worked very well. I now have almost no pain, unless I overdo my gardening "exercises".

Some thoughts - Mrg, I'm convinced of two things regarding whether an epidural injection will work or not. It is essential that the doctor use a fluoroscpe when making the injections so that he can "see" the exact location in your back where he needs to place the corticosteroid. Would be impossible without the fluoroscope. Second, the doctor must have the expertise to be able to guide the needle to PRECISELY the EXACT location where the inflammation is in ones back. Without a doubt my PM doc is an expert!!!

Time will tell when I will need another injection. He and I estimate it will be in about another six months.

Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to give you some of the details.

If you have any questions let me know.

Also, DO seek the advice of a spinal surgeon about your own situation. AND then seek the advice of a second spinal surgeon.

Take care.

RichT