I had a C5-6 spinal fusion almost 2 years ago. I'm about to request epidural shots for that area in my neck. What is the procedure? Do I need to have more MRIs taken first? Are these shots expensive?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe
I had two in between C4 and C5.
You do need an MRI, I believe.
They did wonders for my situation.
I have no idea re: the expense. The insurance I have mangled it all up, and by the time I got around to paying my portion it was pretty cheap.
I just grasped that you had a fusion. As I understand it (I'm probably wrong), the injection goes into the disk. If you've had a fusion, where would the stuff be injected?
I've gotten them in my lumbar spine. Yes, you need an MRI first.
Thanks guys. Well I don't have a C5-6 disc any more. There is a metal plate that connects those 2 vertebrae now.
How long before the shots do I need to get another MRI done? I had several of them before my surgery in 8/2005.
ttt
I had 2 in L4-5 last month. I had an MRI first ($1950). The Epidural Steroid Facet Block cost around $2500 each...The nurse started an IV then rolled me into the operating room and had me lie face down on the operating table. Next, Dr. Feelgood cleaned the site and proceeded to inject Lidocaine into the site. Then he placed 2-5 inch needles bi-laterally (each side) into the site with the aid of a Flouroscope to make sure he was in the optimal area. He then injected the Steroid, Lidocaine, Saline cocktail into the target area. It took around 15 minutes and then I was rolled into the recovery room for about 30 minutes as a precaution! Hope this helps!
So does it hurt like a total bitch?
No pain at all. They knock you out.
They went in through the front of my neck with the needle to get to the disk. I had no idea that was going to happen. I woke up with a band-aid on my throat.
Uhhh, better be careful.
I do ESI's (Epidural Steroid Injections). I don't go above the shoulders. The epidural space gets smaller and smaller as you move northward.
Now, you may get facet blocks or intraforaminals (aka selective nerve root blocks). But as for a cervical ESI's, I wouldn't do it. I use Xrays and dye to be exact when I do them. If your doc doesn't do it this way you're really rolling the dice.
I had some the last couple weeks....not sure they help yet, but I do have a little more movement.....C4 and c5........complete rupture...... Still have numbness all the time though
here's an interesting option looking at correction rather than pain control.
ttt
I have had about 6 epis over the course of 4 years. They have helped me greatly (Herniated L5/L4). My game is a little different because of my back (can't bridge as hard), but it got me fighting again.
ttt
I forgot to ask this earlier. But if I have a metal plate & screws connecting C5-6, can I still do cervical traction for the other damaged disc in my neck?
oh yeah, it's a titanium plate. not metal. thanks for the reminder.
I'm sure that I can still get one. there's no way that they would make it so I couldn't get any more. a lot of patients have additional ruptures.
infected hardware? well I've had these plate & screws since 8/2/2005. but to be honest, I have had fevers & nightsweats for the last week or so, ever since my friend foolishly put me in a headlock and I heard some crunching sounds.
now I'm starting to freak out. what is the worst thing that can happen with infected hardware?
ok. but I do want to know. can I die? do I have to go to the ER or can I wait another week or so? he typically has a full schedule. it was hard for me to sleep last night. I had nightsweats bad. that was the worst night so far.
Good luck bro.