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7 replies [Last post]
October 31, 2008 - 10:10am
Anonymous
lower facet (L3-L4) arthritis pain

Hello, I am a 58 years old male with facet arthritis in my lower left side L3 and L4 (MRI). Had injections on10/17/08, its a little better, but pain has been with me for 6 months.I am starting physical therapy this week.Doctor said a few days for shot to work. Any sugesstions for pain relief? I am a personal trainer, and doing my stretching 2 times a day.Its great to hear others peoples ideas, thanks.....update: 2 weeks later pain is less, but no home run. PT is helping a little, but some days nerve pain comes back.My gut feeling is the nerve burn, but would like to avoid it like everyone else. Happy Halloween from salem ma.

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October 31, 2008 - 12:03pm
#1
TracyLynne
User offline. Last seen 22 hours 26 min ago. Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 548
Points: 1150
I have L4/L5 issues...

and have done injections, nerve blocks and three bilateral rhizotomies from L1 to S1. The rhizotomies (stunning the nerves) was the most successful for me; I only had a couple of months of relief from the first two, but the third one gave me relief for about six months. I've had constant physio for years, but all they can really do is try and stretch the tissue a little for me; it never has any lasting effects. Ultrasound has helped off and on in the past as well.

High doses of NSAIDS were helpful to a point, but not enough to keep me comfortable. After an especially nasty setback last week, I was put on prednisone, which has eased off ALL my inflammation AND spasms....it's like a miracle. Obviously that is not something I want to stay on, but until I see my specialist (eight hours away!) next week, it works for me.

If you have any other questions about rhizotomy/ablation, feel free to PM me.

Tracy

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Any information I provide is through personal experience ONLY....I am not a medical professional, though I could write a book on the impacts of chronic pain and the treatments I've tried!

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ~E.M. Forster, Novelist

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November 1, 2008 - 12:15pm
#2
lulusheart
User offline. Last seen 2 days 11 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 06/19/2008
Posts: 4221
Points: 9140
Keep a positive attitude!

Smile hi and welcome to the forum! Wave we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can. how absolutely bewitching to be in Salem this Halloween!! Rolling On The Floor so sorry you are having chronic pain. Crying try and try again is the best way to find the right treatments for you. Thinking i use exercise and stretching as you do. of course i have a variety of conservative treatments i use for pain relief. you are right on the ball talking to your pt about it!! good luck and keep a positive attitude for a complete success! Jenny Smile

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be impeccable with your word..

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November 7, 2008 - 9:15pm
#3
J.J.Grey
User offline. Last seen 34 weeks 1 day ago. Offline
Joined: 06/23/2008
Posts: 3026
Points: 6166
Danfaust

I also have arthritis in L3/L4 and the nerve burns have been a godsend. Please do not count them out yet.

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I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin

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November 11, 2008 - 3:08pm
#4
danfaust (not verified)
thanks for the help, I am

thanks for the help, I am working with P.T. now and its helping ( still thinking of nerve burning). The more I learn, the better It gets. Thanks again.......Dan

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November 11, 2008 - 8:30pm
#5
J.J.Grey
User offline. Last seen 34 weeks 1 day ago. Offline
Joined: 06/23/2008
Posts: 3026
Points: 6166
That is great

if PT is helping! It did not owrk for me but I also had an annular tare. Good luck.

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I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin

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November 24, 2008 - 1:33pm
#6
janiski
User offline. Last seen 2 days 5 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 09/05/2008
Posts: 467
Points: 936
facet joint arthritis

I have facet joint arthritis in L5/S1 and am fused from L1-L5. I have had several nerve burnings over the years and they have never been successful. My last rhizotomy was 2 weeks ago and altho the pain doc said it can take longer than that I am skeptical. Has anyone ever done 2, where the first is unsuccessful and the 2nd one works??

14 surgeries including L4/L5 laminectomy, L4/L5 360 fusion with instrumentation, L1-L5 fusion with hardware and bone graft from hip, accupuncture, prolotherapy, numerous cortisone injections, 5 rhizotomies.

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Jani

Spinal stenosis, spondolysis, spondolythesis, L4/L5 laminectomy, L4/L5 360 fusion with instrumentation, L1 to L5 fusion with instrumentation and bone graft from hip, L1/S1 fusion with replacement disc and a nice bolt from my spine to my pelvis; PT, accupuncture, prolotherapy, many cortisone injections, 4 rhizotomies. Currently on tramadol, ativan,lexapro, ambien, voltaren. Have had 12 other major surgeries.
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