Facet joint steroid injections in human

[applecart14]

I've written before about my bad back so today is an update! I had my back injected today with steroid to help ease the pain of a large prolapsed disc L5/S1. I've have in all honestly been looking forward to today so much as I have wanted this injection for so long as I'm hoping its the answer to my prayers.

I went to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield and the staff there couldn't have been nicer to me. I got called in five minutes early for my appointment and within 15 mins I was on an xray table having the injections of local anaesthetic and then the actual injections. We were at the hospital just over an hour (that's including parking time)!!!

The injections did hurt to the point that at one time I was actually sobbing (the chap hit a nerve) but I think it was well worth the pain as I'm not able to sleep some nights, and I'm so stiff and sore in the mornings and when not taking pain killers can't lie for more than ten minutes without being in pain. Yet other times I'm so good that I can run, jump, ride the horse, drive, anything you name it. But I think that's all the painkillers I take, I've tried cutting down but then it was too painful so I'm constantly on them. Will gradually wean myself off in a couple of weeks and see if its made any difference having these steroids. I am hoping now (if I am really fixed) I will be able to jump my horse again (when he is fixed too!!)

I spoke to the chap in the 'theatre' and we had a good old chin wag in between the injections (probably to take my mind off things before he said the dreaded words "just a sharp scratch" as the needles went in). When he read the sheet with my info on and saw that I rode horses he said that the two most common types of people who have the problems I have are horse riders and cricketers - in particular bowlers!! Think that's the running and twisting to throw the ball.

 

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I opted not to have the same in my neck. Far too risky IMO and steroids are only temp and can have nasty side effects.

 

[lubuzz]

I too was reccommended for facet joint injections- after many opinions i decided to not go ahead with it. My pain is mostly manageable, and if its not i just sleep on the floor and it seems to sort my back right out!

 

[sarahw123]

Interesting thread!

I'm of the opinion that if pain is causing a massive disrupt to your quality of life then all avenues of relief should be explored. I am someone who has spent 11 years having to regulary take pain killers, and unfortunatley NOTHING works for me anymore. And it's well known that relyingon pain relief medication also has side effects and is really not ideal either I too have used different methods of pain relief (nothing dodgy lol) and have had more successwith these than popping pills on a regular basis.

Are these steroid injections used for various conditions, ie arthritus? How do they work?

I hope you have success with these injections and can get on with doing the things that everyone else takes for granted

 

[RutlandH2O]

Applecart14: Welcome to my world!! I have had facet joint and root block injections on and off for many, many years. My problems are bulging discs at L3, L4, L5, S1. I also have spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). When I'm doing well, I'm VERY well. Right now, I'm bad. I've had injections in March, June, July, and October this year. The June/July jabs were separated by two weeks because the doctor didn't want to give me too much steroid in one go. Now that I am older, and the wear and tear is catching up with me, my good periods seem to be fewer and farther between. For over 2 years I had been using a remarkable little machine out in the fields to pick up horse muck. Problem is, the machine has no suspension (it's really supposed to be used on level concrete). The constant jarring and bumping as I drove the machine has exacerbated an already compromised lower spine. I am no longer able to avail myself of this wonderful bit of engineering...it's my OH's domain, now. I haven't been on a horse since 1997/8.

I live on anti-inflammatories and pain killers 24/7, 365 days a year. It is quite a worry.

 

[applecart14]

Applecart14: Welcome to my world!! I have had facet joint and root block injections on and off for many, many years. My problems are bulging discs at L3, L4, L5, S1. Now that I am older, and the wear and tear is catching up with me, my good periods seem to be fewer and farther between. . I haven't been on a horse since 1997/8.

I live on anti-inflammatories and pain killers 24/7, 365 days a year. It is quite a worry.

It is true that there is always someone worse off than yourself and you certainly seem to fit the bill Rutland H20. I am very sorry for your plight. I feel incredibly sorry for people whose quality of life back pain effects to your degree.

Take care xx

 

[Leg_end]

I had facet joint injections a couple of years ago as I've got degeneration in my lumbar spine as I've got one leg longer than the other. I had to have 14 injections and it was horrific. I couldn't walk for over a week after the procedure and was in a worse place than when I started.

I would never ever have it again and my experience was so awful I even asked my vet to give my boy some serious pain relief and sedation to inject his fetlock

 

[sally87]

Interesting thread!

Are these steroid injections used for various conditions, ie arthritus? How do they work?

the steroid injections are used for all sorts of joint diseases. The steroid is a strong painkiller & anti-inflammatory agent. It decreases the inflammation within the joint which is pressing on structures & causing pain. once the inflammation goes down, so does the pain.

they work to different degrees in different people. some people get no relief at all, others get months pain free. they are only temporary though so will need repeating if you want permanent relief from this method.

as for side effects, all therapies are associated with side effects & steroid injections are no different. however as the steroid is injected directly into the joint, there is only a low concentration of it in the rest of the body. therefore the nasty effects of steroids experienced by people taking them by mouth/ IV are minimal or usually non existent. There is the risk of damaging nerves in the initial injection but that is why x ray is used. The steroid can have effects on the injected joint, but making sure the injections are not too frequent reduces this chance.

I hope it works for you

 

[lastresort]

I too have had these and they made no difference to my condition, unfortunately nothing will. I ride daily and have good days and bad days, I am on strong pain killers which I hate but thats my choice as my quality of life would be less.
I have seen 6 consultants (including one harley street who is apparently top back specialist in country) who said basically you wont ever get back to where you were so its about management. I have a degenertive spinal disorder which is hiereditary and I also have bulging discs.
my brother and sister have the same both have had operations neither were sucessful . So i live my life to the full, ride as much as poss ( on the reccomendation of said consultant as he said I use muscles that I wouldnt use if I didnt.
Downside- if i fall off its not good, I obviously dont very often but I have had 2 bad falls, each one when I landed I tried to not land on my back and fractured my hip!! the other I came away with just whiplash.
I refuse to let my back rule my life. I think its about personal choice and some say im mad and some say fair play.
Its like anything works for some and doesnt for others

Good luck
x

 

[Syrah]

Another one who has had them several times.

I've got a degenerative disease in 6 of the lower facet joints and one disc so nothing to do with riding.

They were great for me. I went from barely being able to move to pain free. They gave me a window of opportunity to build up core muscles to support my spine which means I'm now virtually painkiller free apart from the odd 'attack'

 

[Rhandir]

I had them some years ago, i have scoliosis which is basically a curvature of the spine. i was in a whole heap of trouble when i first had them, thankfully they worked to the point that i could have my life back.

Over time they do get less effective so my specialist took me to the next level, electronic de-nerveation ... which is wonderful. It's a similar deal to the cortisone injections as it's done under an MRI scan but instead of injecting the joint facet they pass a very fine wire down the needle and send down a small electrical charge to burn the nerve root. It does grow back over time but it takes quite a while to do so.