SI Cortizone Injection

  • Thread starter Thread starter mushroom2
  • Start date Start date
M

mushroom2

Guest
I recently had a lower lurabar nerve block done for diagnostic purposes. The doctor didn't find any nerves being pinched. Now he has scheduled me for a SI injection in each joint by fluroscope. He is trying to determine where my pain is coming from. I do have some arthirits in 3 facet joints and Stage 1 spondy L4 on L5. I am really at a loss as to have this procedure done. Has anyone here had the same procedure done? Does it hurt a lot? Yes, that is a big one! Will the cortizone cause problems if the SI joints are not the problem? My PM doctor doesn't talk very much. He just said he is perplexed because he doesn't know where my pain is coming from. Right now my hips hurt and I can't wear anything tight around my waist without pain. I also have swelling in the breast bone area. This is probably inflammation coming from the other body parts. After 2 years of chronic pain and no relief I am really getting run down. I can't exerise like I use to and I can't walk very far because of pain. I just need some feedback concerning these SI injections. I realize every individual is differen't. Thanks so much for your help.
 
I had a SI joint block followed a few weeks later by a SI joint ablation. The block was done to see if that alleviated any of the pain and as it did they then did an SI ablation which lasted 9 months.

Have you been seen by an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and/or Neurosurgeon regarding any surgical options. All of my back surgeries have been well worth it!
 
One Dr. is a Internist/Do. The other one that said I don't need surgery is a Pain Management doctor. I have already had one diagnostic injection for SI joint by my sports medicine doctor and he said that was the problem. The left SI. Now the PM doctor wants to do both because he doesn't know where my pain is coming from. Seems like there must be some kind of xray or scan to show SI disfunction or lax ligament. I have spondy and they ignore that issue. PM doctor said there is no nerve being pinched so that eliminates nerve ablation. Boy, did that nerve test hurt. I am leaning on not having the SI test done and seeing a spine specialist. After 2 years, I would think they could come up with a diagnosis. I had prolotherapy and that helped some. One pain management doctor looked at my MRI and said he doesn't see why I am having pain. It must be muscle related. Told me to take 4 aleve for a week and come back if I didn't feel better. This has been a very painful and frustrating 2 years. I went from goint to the gym 3 times a week to 0. I appreciate your input and thank you very much.
 
Well, I am sceduled for a diagnostic cortizone injection into both SI joints Nov. 1. This will determine if they are creating my low back pain. It seems to me isince I have sacroillitis in my L5-S1 that this could cause the pain. I saw a DO yesterday and he did some miafacial relief in my L2 etc. I had some muscle spasms from pain in the facet joints. He said the nerves in my facet joints send out messages when their is pain and this creates the spasms. According to him, my arthritis will not go away and I will always have pain and stiffness in the morning and when I am idle for a period of time. He said weight lifting, etc. will make it worse because this irritates the facet joints too. I am trying to keep positive, but 2 years is along time to find out what is wrong. My Dr. said after 2 years of not having relief, then they have to begin doing diagnostic tests. I'm not too keen on having cortizon injections because of the side effects. I also have a bum knee with arthritis and I have to be very careful not to strain it. I am able to ride my inside bike for exercise. I sure miss the weight lifting though. Without that, my muscles will begin to shrink and this will probably cause bone loss. It is like being in a win-lose situation. With todays technology in medicine, I would think diagnosing back pain would be easier. My doctor said when it comes to the spine it is very diffecult to figure out what is wrong. If all these tests fail, then I will seek out a sping specialist. Maybe they can determine what is going on.
 
No, I haven't seen a spine surgeon. The doctors I have seen told me I do not need surgery. Apparently, my spondy is not bad enough. I just have arthritis in 3 facet joints in my lower back. I am currently having a lot of pain in my back and ribs that radiates to my breast sturnum. It feels like a burning pain or muscle spasms. I can't get in to see my regualar Dr. until 11/10 and my procedure is not until Noveraber 1. How did they diagnose your SI joint before you had the SI block? Did you have a lot of pain in your hips and back? I am just full of questions and looking for answers. My family physician told me not to take and NSAIRAB at all. That just leaves me with tylenol or narcotic pain pills. I am tempted to fire them all and start all over again. I would think after 2 years they could come up with an answer. I never had an injury, I just bent over and the pain started from there. I could have osteoarthiris but they haven't even gone there. Thanks for your help.
 
I would be concerned if you haven't even seen an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon or Neurosurgeon yet. Only they can evaluate if any surgery would help. It's best to see one if you can for a full consultation. What doctors are telling you that surgery is not an option?
 
Well, I had my 2 SI injections and they were not as bad as I anticipated. I had partial sedation and thathelped a lot. Now I am getting muscle spasms and pain in my lower back. I think it is probably from the inections and they are causing the pain. Hopefully in 7 days I will feel better. I have another Dr. appointment in 1 month for a follow-up. I also have a lot of swelling in my abdoment. I feel llike 4 months pregnant. This must be caused from the injections also. I am so glad this part is over. Now I have to find out what can be done from my myofacial pain. I get spasms in my spine. I was told that this is caused from the arthritis in my facet joints. I also have some arthritis is my SI joints. I thought getting older was suppose to be fun and relaxing? :)
 
Back
Top