You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
After years of back issues, prolapsed discs and current Sciatica which is pretty much crippling. My Physio has referred me for injections as a precursor to possible surgery.
Anyone had experience of these?
Mrs taxi has had them twice. Worked well for her and has allowed her back to stabilise and she's been largely pain free for the last 4yrs.
It's a bit hit or miss though, when she had it done of the 8 people who had it on the same day with her it only worked for 2 of them.
Yip. I have a herniated disc at L5/S1 and after a failed local injection that did nothing, I had 4 x-ray guided injections into the disc pocket (I believe).
Was a strange experience watching the needle go in and felt very weird as I could sense huge pressure in my back but it didn't hurt as such.
I'd struggled for 2 to 3 years of on and off pain, spasms and tweaks that knocked me off my feet for at least a couple of days each time before I got referred using private medical. Two days after seeing the consultant I was in for the injection and they took the pain away for a solid ten years. Can still bring it on if I move silly or twist in a certain position but, all in all I'd advise it if you are offered on medical grounds.
edit. Didn't actually stop to think which injection you are referring to. If it is the general injection into the affected area then this did nothing for me. X-ray guided as above completely different.
Initial referral due to doctors just handing out painkillers & referals to local hospital physios for years.
I fractured my sciatic joint and was in constant pain, taking strong painkillers but they weren't even touching it. I had the guided cortisone injection and less than a week later I was fine. It's still gets a bit uncomfortable occasionally but nothing a bit of stretching doesn't sort out and it's been ok now for 10yrs.
Be warned it's a massive needle, but you don't feel anything but a bit of pressure. I'd advise that afterwards you get someone to pick you up at the door, I tried to walk to the car park (morphine is great) but regretted it pretty quickly.
Strangely I'm the same position. Had MRI on Friday, next step is hopefully this injection, had about a years worth or crippling back/sciatica issues that stopped me walking more than a couple of minutes. Thankfully cycling is fine!
Cheers for replies.
Yes exactly as above, struggle to walk more than a couple hundred yards at end of day without having to sit or crouch down, but embarrassing looking like you're stopping to Poo yourself in town 😯
Bike seems fine on cycle trail or road, but stopped MTB & surfing as back potentially seizing is a worry
I’ve had a few rounds of different injections. First caudal epidural in 2008 sorted me for about 5 years. Then my sciatica came back with a vengeance.
I then had another caudal epidural, and two lots of X-ray guided facet joint injections. These didn’t work and I ended up with disc decompression, packing and flexible fusion of L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1.
Long term the surgery has worked for me, but the procedure isn’t commonly available, my surgeon is a bit of a maverick.
If your in the midlands then I can send you his contact details.
I had this 3 yrs ago. As above the X-ray guided steroid fellas straight into the disc. Worked out very well for me, went from seriously, acutely, incapacitated to out and about fast. Continued physio also helped, lower back pain/issues have decreased over time.
Thumbs up form me! 2 things that I was asked during mine that I would not really want to repeat:
1) "Excuse us, but we will have to start again with a longer needle, is that OK?" (whilst waving an already knitting needle sized lance in front of me) 😳
2) "Can you confirm that you can feel and move your legs?" 😳🤯
All was fine though 🙂
I had cortisone into a couple of discs/joints and it did nothing other than hurt like hell. Later I had a percutaneous discectomy that sorted the issue tout de suite. Similar issues to the OP of horrible sciatica over an extended period.
Not quite the same but had 14 intrathecals as part of my chemotherapy regime for lymphoma. Yes they smart but the best advice I got was to lie on your back for 30 mins afterward and have a can of full fat coke. My consultant said it was to do with the sugar and caffeine fix, don't know if it's true but it worked.
I've continued to mtb, doesn't seem to make it worse or seize up. Think if I didn't do that id be well out of shape with such little walking! Also started in the gym to build core strength, along with specific stretches/exercises that seem to help a little. This thread has been super useful, good to know that the injections seem positive.
My back issues started in 2016. I had Physio, painkillers and a lot of time off sick.
At the worst point I was catheterised, a good day was washing my own feet.
MRI showed 2 prolapsed discs
I had an xray guided injection (approx 12 months later) which worked an absolute charm for 48 hours, then nothing.
Just over 12 months ago I had surgery. It was like someone flicking a switch, the pain was gone and now I'm back on my bike.
Thats not to say it wont work for you, but in my case it did nowt.