has anyone else had epidural shots

thanks.

will they have to replace the hardware if it's infected? or can I take med's for it?

PS if you could, please drop me an email at

mmatvsurfinjoe@yahoo.com

thanks again bud.

ok I'll check it. I'll have to go grab a thermometer somewhere. can the hardware become infected from someone putting you in a headlock and your neck crunching? I'm feeling pain in my left tricep as well, now. that wasn't there before.

thanks

thanks. is there a damaged disc in the neck that will effect the left tricep with pain?

I really appreciate your help.

it's more like pain. I'm relatively sure that I have another herniated disc. also lots of clamping pain in the back of my neck and there is scraping sounds when I turn my head.

If you're not paralyzed or a quadriplegic thank your lucky stars and suck up the pain pusses.

get off my thread douche

surfinjoe - I am an interventional spine doc who does cervical epidurals.

an epidural injection is an injection of medication usually a steroid plus an anesthetic into the epidural space (the space above or before the sac that protects the spinal cord) it is not an injection into the disc as ONEROUND suggested. the approach is to guide the needle using X-ray/ flouroscopic guidance between the lamina (posterior portion of vertebrae) of two adjacent vertebrae. As for what cervical level is selected, usually they are done at the C7-T1 level because as FIGHTINMD said the cervical spine canal diameter narrows as you move towards the head making less space and less room for error. However FIGHTINMD was mistaken with regards to the safety of Cervical Selective Nerve root blocks vs epidurals because epidurals are in fact safer. Epidurals are safer in the neck because it is difficult to rule out injections into the vertebral arteries when performing a cervical selective nerve block. The cost will vary and if you are paying cash you can negotiate this upfront. As for whether you need an MRI, again this depends on your symptoms. If we are questioning the stability of your fusion than flexion/ extension x-rays would be helpful followed by a Thin Slice CT with sagital reconstruction. I would not recommend traction with a fusion as you may destabilize your fusion.

many thanks gilbert. please drop me an email as well at

mmatvsurfinjoe@yahoo.com

nope never wet tapped anyone (knock on wood). its not that big a deal though. a wet tap is a dural punture that causes spinal fluid to leak into the soft tissues resulting in a positional headache when upright. usually drinking lots of fluids, drinking caffeine, lying flat and waiting will cure it. if not then there is always an epidural blood patch. I'v done those to fix other docs wet taps and they are not a big deal either

passdagass - in the lumbar spine I use anesthetic and in the cervical spine I usually use straight steroid mixed with normal saline. If I do use anesthetic its usually 1 cc of 1% Lidocaine (so it wears off relatively quickly if a spinal were to occur) I use flouro and contrast on all my injections so this is unlikely. Yes spinals are scary luckily I haven't had any(knock on wood) As for cord biopsies, I go slow take lots of flouro images from both an AP and a lateral view (to Check depth) and I always no where I'm at.

passdagass your right about the complications thats why I try to avoid using anesthetics and go mostly with steroids

I had 3 injections between c6and c7. They didn't help me at all. I was supposed to go back and have surgery but I haven't been back to the doc in about 3 months to set it up. My right arm is numb, I just HATE getting cut on!

Dude if you are having some sort of loss of sensation in ANY part of your body you need to get that taken care of ASAP.

it sounds like an emg/ncs study (by a reputable electrodiagnostician) to determine whether you have an active ongoing radiculopathy might be useful. an epidural might help your tingling and pain but weakness and muscle atrophy should be investigated thoroughly to try to prevent permanent and progressive neurologic damage.