MRI of Lumbar Spine....

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schao

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Here are the results:


L5-S1: Minimal disc space narrowing present. Linear intermediate signal extenRAB to the posterior disc fibers suggesting small, chronic annular tear.

They want to do 2 epidural injections to see if it will help with the pain.

Does anyone have any input for me?? I have low back/hip/leg pain.

Thanks so much,
Sherrie :)
 
Hi - since your doctors suggested that you have these injections, I absolutely think you should have the injections. I had a bad case of sciatica, and the orthopedist suggested the same thing for my problem. I had two injections - the first worked somewhat, but the pain returned; so I had a second injection and had total relief. It's been over 3 years, and i have not had another attack of sciatica. If I do, however, i will not hesitate to have more injections. Good luck!! Mabent
 
Epidural injections and physical therapy are almost always where treatment begins. Some people are lucky and this resolves their issues. As the other poster said, when the ESIs work, the issues are resolved and things return to normal in some cases. It is a good place to start. Just be sure that you are having them under fluoroscopy -- almost all places use that now, but occasionally I hear of someone who goes into an office and the doctor injects them "blind."
 
Great advice Tetoneri! I should have stressed that in my post. All my injections were done by an orthopedist who specialized in fluroscopic epidural injections. Mabent
 
Thank you for all of the replies. I'll probably end up getting the injections..I've just had injections in my back before for different things and none of them did any good. But, this is a different situation so I'll probably just do it and hope for the best!

Thanks so much,
Sherrie
 
I have had lurabar disc problems for 16 years now. The one thing I will say is that injections have always helped me until now. Of course my discs have gotten a lot worse over the years and now the only options are disc replacement or fusion (which I refuse). I HIGHLY recommended the injections. Just an FYI, the first few days can be very painful after. The doctor should tell you that it takes up to a week for the medicine to spread out and do it's job. There is also a chance that you have a steroid flare up. This is NOT FUN but after a week or two, you do feel better. I have had too many injections over the years to count and I've only had one steriod flare up, so you should be fine. I wish you all the best and I hope they help. I know how painful and life changing back pain can be. Also, a positive, my first injection kept me pain free for almost 3 years. Good luck.
 
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