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Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?
Spine Health | Last Active: May 7, 2024 | Replies (135)Comment receiving replies
@grandmar Thank you for the encouragement. I know exactly what you mean. I did go with the flow for about 15 years. Then I refused more injections because they were just doing them over & over and creating more & more scar tissue. None of them ever worked for my pain. I finally started to ask questions and pushing for an answer. I honestly feel like they were happy with leaving me as a pain patient because I was profitable.
I found a different group of doctors that have been getting things done. Come to find out that I have 5 or 6 large Tarlov cysts, also called perineral cysts (in the sacral/coccyx area), and a fatty filium which is a tethered cord. The cysts are pushing on the nerves causing cauda equina syndrome and I have all the symptoms. Just found out last week that I now have peripheral neuropathy. The tethered cord typically happens and is taken care of at birth but can also be caused by injury. Mine was by injury. All I did is slip and fall in my kitchen floor but it was a heck of a fall. I'm currently waiting for a surgery date. The doctor said when he releases the tethered cord is may or may not relieve the pain in my T10-T12 where they've done all the injections over the years. Recovery time is 2+ years because the nerves grow back slowly. I won't find out how much permanent nerve damage there is for quite some time but at least we're finally moving forward. Fingers crossed!!
Replies to "@grandmaR Thank you for the encouragement. I know exactly what you mean. I did go with..."
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@qball2019
So happy you now have a diagnosis and a plan of action. Sorry that includes surgery. But, if you are like me, the surgery comes as a possible solution for your issues.
I took shots for years and years. I went through 5 doctors. When I moved to my current state, I found a terrific pain doc who was able to help me. For 5 years, most of his injections lasted me 3-12 weeks. Even the 3 weeks were better than what I was getting before. Towards the end, the injections and procedures were not working. It was then I decided that if I wanted any quality of life, surgery was the way. I am happy to tell you that I have a cervical and lumbar surgery this year and I am pain free (except from my osteoarthritis).
I now have neuropathy in my feet and toes and weakness in my legs. They are not 100-% sure as to what is causing it, but the neurologist thinks it is because some of my nerves near my spine are clustering together and there is still some stenosis in the lumbar. I go for an EMG this week. Looks like a possibility of more surgery.
FT=YI...It is MY PERSONAL OPINION that the reason why so many spine surgeries fail is because as soon as the pain is gone (if not before), people start right back to doing things they did before....bending, lifting, quick movements, twisting, etc. Doing those things can really do damage, even if 'you are healed.' I BELIEVE that once you have back surgery, you have to baby yourself.
Well, that's my two cents...
Feel good and good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)