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  • Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Epidurals work in two different ways. The epidural has both a numbing agent (marcaine) and a steroid. Even if there is no inflammation, the first three hours should be diagnostic (temporary relief of nerve pain). This is because the nerve is “blocked” or won’t transmit pain while it is under the influence of the anesthetic. If however, you are insensitive to injectable anesthetics (shots from the dentist to numb your jaw don’t work or he/she has to inject multiple times) then the diagnostic portion will not work.

    It worries me that injectable steroids prior to surgery or oral steroids don’t give you relief. It might mean that any steroid injection will be ineffective.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Jeff W.
    Participant
    Post count: 7

    Thank you again for a prompt response, Dr. Corenman.

    When I get dental anesthetics, they seem to work fine – never had a problem with those being ineffective.

    I don’t think another epidural would help, so I won’t bother suggesting that to my doctor.
    From your earlier response, I googled CRPS… the various symptoms do not match my condition, so I think that is doubtful.
    The post-op seroma (blood or liquid causing compression) causing continued root compression that you mentioned sounds like a possible explanation, so I will ask my doctor’s team about that.

    Of course, I guess it still remains that the most plausible explanation is that the nerve root was damaged by the compression (which was about 9 months) and simply just needs more time to [hopefully] heal? Would you agree that this is one of the probable explanations for my smptoms?

    Thank you, again, Dr. Corenman.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Chronic radiculopathy is the most likely condition with your prior descriptions. It takes about 1 1/2 years to really know how the nerve will recover.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Jeff W.
    Participant
    Post count: 7

    Sorry for yet another follow-up question…

    Ugh… I sure hope my pain goes away sooner than 1.5 yrs (or never)! I’ve had this pain for 9 months prior to surgery, and now 2 months after fusion surgery, and sometimes I don’t know how much longer I can take it.

    I’ve done lots of googling… how to reduce/manage the pain while hoping and waiting for the nerve to recover…
    What options have you seen/heard best results for pain reduction/management?
    Accupuncture, meditation, cognitive behavioral modification (psychology), dry needling, ???

    Thank you.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Everything you note can be helpful to cope with or reduce pain. You can also consider a TENS unit and possibly a spinal cord stimulator.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Jeff W.
    Participant
    Post count: 7

    Thank you for your response. Yes, I have a TENS unit… I find that sometimes it helps, and sometimes not, but it’s handy to have available. I’ve not heard of a spinal cord stimulator… I’ll investigate that.

    Thank you again for your help, I really appreciate it.

    If I find anything that helps, I’ll add more to my topic here so perhaps others can benefit.

    Thank you for having a moderated forum for folks around the world to benefit. :-)

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