I have been having lower back pain for years. I sustained an upper back injury last July at work (holding abdominal retractors on morbidly obese patients for over 10 hours straight.) Because I didn't get relief from rest and muscle relaxants, my doctor sent me for an MRI, which diagnosed a bulging disc in my neck, and grade 1 (low grade) spondylolisthesis in my lower (lumbar) spine. I had 3 months of physical therapy, and have continued my exercises, 4 times a week, since October. I also have a TENS/MNES unit that I use when the pain becomes nearly unbearable. Since starting my exercise and weight training routine, I have lost 20 pounds without changing my eating habits too much (although I have changed a little, no soft drinks and MUCH less fried foods, just better food choices in general.) Even with the weight loss, exercise and TENS unit, my lower back pain is relentless and becoming quite discouraging. I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon (one that I work with very frequently in the O.R.) on Monday to discuss my lower back pain. One of the options that we will be discussing will be a facet joint block, which is a local anesthetic/steriod injection in my back into the facet joints which are slipping against each other, in hopes that this will bring relief. Has anyone here had this procedure done, or know anyone who has had this done? Needless to say, I'm a little nervous about this, but if it will bring relief, I'm kind of leaning toward going through with it. I'd love to hear any stories (positive or negative) about it!
Thanks!
Thanks!