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  • Hotrod
    Member
    April 26, 2013 at 5:21 am
    Post count: 1
    #8509

    Doc – I have a herniated disk protusion of 5mm between L4-L5 creating severe sciatic pain down my leg. I have been told that muscle dysfunction is likely the cause. I tried decompression for 3mo. and get temporary relief ~2hrs. Is it possible to reduce the protusion with epidural cortisone injections for inflammation in conjunction with decompression (or traction) and physical therapy? I want to avoid surgery.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    April 28, 2013 at 11:31 pm
    Post count: 8455
    #8526

    Muscle dysfunction is not the cause of this problem but the result of the herniation. If you have no motor weakness but pain and numbness down your leg, in my practice, you would be a candidate for a physical therapy rehab program and an epidural steroid injection. This injection does not reduce the size of the herniation but reduces the inflammation around the nerve and “toughens” the nerve root. Traction is relatively ineffective for this disorder.

    Dr. Corenman

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