HealthBoards - View Single Post - L5 Radiculopathy foot pain and steroid injection

RonC11 · 03-04-2012, 10:24 AM

Hi...

thanks for responding...what has your experience been?

Here are my responses?-- Have you had an MRI of the back that indicates any compression of the L5 or S1 nerve?

YES, 20 years of b ack issues..sorry, should have stated that. Both the new orthopod, my PT person for the last year, and an EMG test all talk about "chronic" (not acute) L5 radiculopathy... my PT guy for the last year has been saying most of these issues are my back (although I DID drop a ladder on my foot over 2 years ago that started all this!)

Personally I do not think I would take the risk of having an epidural spine injection unless you are sure the nerve injury is further up in the lower back or leg.

It seems odd that you would only have the one symptom, in your toes, if it were a spinal nerve compression. But I do not know that much about neuromas and how they differ from the type of numbness those of us with back issues have from compressed spinal nerves.

Doctors will tell you that ESIs are benign and there is little risk involved. While this is mostly the case, I wouldn't subject myself to that risk without having proof positive that it was the right procedure for the problem.

Have you had spine problems in the past and the foot problem followed?

AGAIN, yes...but NOT really related...

03-04-2012, 10:24 AM	#3
RonC11 Junior Member (male) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 15	Re: L5 Radiculopathy foot pain and steroid injection Hi... thanks for responding...what has your experience been? Here are my responses?-- Have you had an MRI of the back that indicates any compression of the L5 or S1 nerve? YES, 20 years of b ack issues..sorry, should have stated that. Both the new orthopod, my PT person for the last year, and an EMG test all talk about "chronic" (not acute) L5 radiculopathy... my PT guy for the last year has been saying most of these issues are my back (although I DID drop a ladder on my foot over 2 years ago that started all this!) Personally I do not think I would take the risk of having an epidural spine injection unless you are sure the nerve injury is further up in the lower back or leg. It seems odd that you would only have the one symptom, in your toes, if it were a spinal nerve compression. But I do not know that much about neuromas and how they differ from the type of numbness those of us with back issues have from compressed spinal nerves. Doctors will tell you that ESIs are benign and there is little risk involved. While this is mostly the case, I wouldn't subject myself to that risk without having proof positive that it was the right procedure for the problem. Have you had spine problems in the past and the foot problem followed? AGAIN, yes...but NOT really related...