After seeing a consultant recently, one of the treatments suggested was injectional treatment in addition to physiotherapy.

I’ve been seeing a physio since Oct, whilst I’m getting stronger the pain comes and goes depending on various activities or in activity. Basically degenerative discs and facet joint strains.

My question really is has anybody undergone injections in their back and to what degree has this helped or not helped.

I’ve taken steroidal injections in the past in a dodgy shoulder and elbows (yes I’m falling apart sooner than expected) with little success.

I tweaked my back a few times many years ago and it always went when bending oddly (usually involved bending over and twisting to the left)

GP always said I just had a low tolerance to pain until one day it went and I couldn’t get up.

Went private that time and after an mri was diagnosed with a herniated disc at L5/S1 (lower right hand side).

Initially had localised imjections in my lower back which eased it for a few days but didn’t get rid of the pain.

A few weeks later I was back to have x-ray guided root blocker and something I can’t remember injections into the pockets of my spine on both sides. Eight in total all together and that got rid of all the pain in 24 hours.

The injection process itself felt very odd – like an elephant pressing on the spine. Not exactly painful just weird, and nearly as weird as watching the process on tv !

This was done 5 years ago now and whilst I can still bring on the localised pain if I put myself in daft positions, in the main I have been pain free through years of cycling and weight lifting / rowing / gym going.

If it does get tweaked beyond a minor annoyance, I lay down for a few hours then take diclofenac and a course or co codamol for 2 to 3 days before returning to normality. (Happened only twice in the last 4 years)

Sorry for the long winded post, but hope it helps a bit.

Thanks twonks

I might give the physio some more time and revisit the situation in another 6 to 8 weeks before I commit to the injections.

There are days when I feel like my back is going to snap in two.

Not exactly painful just weird, and nearly as weird as watching the process on tv !

I must say I found the detailed analysis of the whole spinal column rather interesting… the human body and the way the body deals with injuries is fascinating.

Injections work in the hands of a skilled practicioner but are a treatment not a cure. Trouble is a load of doctors do them without the skills. If its the consultant going to do it or the surgical reg check with them how many they have done. If its a GP think twice

Cortisone ? Made a huge difference to my wife’s neck and mothers back. My BIL is one of France’s leading specialists. As above its not a treatment in some respects but I can really aid recovery and “un-block” a “seized back”

the human body and the way the body deals with injuries is fascinatin

Agreed

As above. It treats a symptom not the cause.

I had a caudal epidural, injection into the spinal column with cortisone, steroids, and saline. The idea was to reduce inflammation and to help the discs “plump” to relieve pressure on the trapped sciatic nerve. Mine, with lots of physio, lasted about 3 years before the pain came back to a significant level.

Before my surgery I had another and two lots of guided facet joint injections. I also had a root nerve block. I only got very mild improvement, my discs were too far gone by this point.

The surgery, flexible spinal fusion with partial removal of the herniated discs, is what has “fixed” my back. It will never be like new but I’m mostly pain free.

I had what the consultant called a foraminal block carried out in 2007. I have not had a recurrence of the pain and immobility since. It was carried out under general/heavy sedation.

Allowed me to get the core group strong and climbing became a pleasure again. Bridge moves plus twisting are out otherwise I’m fully mobile.

Thanks chaps I might continue a bit further with the physio for another 6 to 8 weeks but with the continual niggling pain it’s hampering any concerted effort to exercise effectively

And as a counter.. I had 4 cortisone injections into two discs a couple of years ago and they did nothing for me. The process was very very uncomfortable (just getting into the right position to ‘receive’ was agony) and and they had zero effect on the problem – 2 herniated discs.

It only started to improve after a discectomy and took a year to get to 80%. I then buggered it up again skiing but wierdly it was almost fully betterer (i.e. near 100%) within 6 weeks.

So just go skiing 🙂

Had cortisone in my spine twice over ten years and twice in my shoulder. Doesn’t sort the problem but does give you the opportunity for physio and exercises to sort the problem.
Doesn’t always work first time – you’ll know if it has.

MRI scan ? My father recently delayed injections due to being needle phobic,
consultant “injections would have done nothing for you good job we got the MRI – op for you”