Steroid Injections for Relief of Quad Pain

Posted by rono2410 @rono2410, Jul 18, 2023

I have been diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis and already had an L4-L5 laminectomy. I have also been told that nerve impingement has now migrated downward in my spine to affect L2-L3. The result has been increasing pain and weakness in my right quad muscle making it difficult to walk for any significant distance without significant pain. Has anyone had success with steroid injections to relieve the pain and enable more comfortable walking? I understand relief is potentially temporary, but am worried there might be side effects and harmful outcomes from the injections.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 18, 2023

@rono2410 The weakness in your muscle is because of nerve compression, and that will continue until the nerve is decompressed by surgery. You may loose muscle mass and that can become permanent if the nerve compression goes on too long. You may have some improvement with a spinal injection if it reduces inflammation enough to buy a little bit of space, but that is temporary. Injections don't fix the problem and they have some significant risks or paralysis if the injection is placed wrong or archnoiditis which is inflammation causing pain that can become permanent. You may want to read some of the discussions about this from other members before you decide if you want to do injections.

Spine Health - Arachnoiditis: Looking to talk with others
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arachnoiditis/

rono2410 | @rono2410 | Jul 20, 2023

Thank you, Jennifer. I was thinking that surgery was a last resort and exploring other potential options. It sounds like surgery is my only path forward.

geo2112 | @geo2112 | Jul 22, 2023

I just had L2-L3 injections today after several very painful weeks of left quad pain. The immediate “fire” pain has been reduced from lidocaine portion, still walking with a limp in left leg and still taking pain meds as well. Have been fused from S1-L5 and then L5-L4-L3 many years later, now L3-L2 is degraded and the nerve is constrained. The injection will buy me some time but L3-L2 fusion is in my not too distant future. I have had good surgical results each step of the way but the next highest unfused disc eventually wears out. Suggest PT to help strengthen core to protect you back.

jwkelly72 | @jwkelly72 | Jul 22, 2023

In reply to @geo2112 "I just had L2-L3 injections today after several very painful weeks of left quad pain. The..." + (show)

I took and and when needed take lidocaine for back issues and it's a wonderful pain reliever. I usef the patch in hospital and rehab but at home I use the spray too. Every second pain free is a great way to live. When I was bed bound and suffering I would watch the clock for hours waiting for each medication issue. I'm happy I don't need it now but glad it exists and I have it if I do.