Facet Nerve Block

[JeffreyD]

Thanks for the insights Jim,

Well, after discussion prior to the procedure between me, my pain management doc who was performing the procedure, and my spine doc via phone, the decision was made to perform a selective nerve block, left side only, L3 & L4.

My pain doc said there was an increased risk of this procedure because of my ADR collection (5), as injecting steroids near artificial discs could invite infection due to lowering the body's immune system capabilities, so he used a minimum amount (I'm told).

Anyway, here I am resting. I did notice an improvement in left leg pain for about the first 6 hours after the procedure, but it's ramping back up now.

God Bless,
Jeff

[Jim M2]

Jeff,
How did the nerve block turn out? Have you reached any conclusions about the results?

Jim

[JeffreyD]

Jim,
Thanks for asking.
I received some relief (30%) of my lumbar and left leg symptoms for about 5-6 hours.
The needle jockey told me he wasn't going to inject very much steroid as it is dangerous to inject steroids that close to artificial discs because of the risk of infection, as the steroid lowers the ability of the immune system to respond in the area that is injected, and the artificial discs are a "magnet" for the seeding of infection.
I'll see my stateside spine doc in 2 weeks to see what the verdict is.
God Bless,
Jeff