I talked with my nero. today and he told me my MRI had scar tissue, and that was normal...ok so why am I in so much pain? my lami was on 6-14 and my back and left thigh are killing me. He said the only thing I can do is get another epidural steriod injection for the pain... I have already made an appointment with another nero for a second opnion, on 9-11... because I can't believe I will be in this pain for the rest of my life, and I really can't believe this is normal... I seen other paitents walking out of his office pain free, and I find myself wishing I could... anyway, my ? is has anyone had expierence with ESI's for scar tissue....thanks Angelia

Hey Girl ., I have never heard of that... I just got back from my pain management ,told him I was in severe pain and he gave me..

Moriphine 30mg->pain

Trazodone 50mg --> for sleeping

oxycodone 5/325--> for pain

Didn't offer me no ESI , And better not !

I gave up on trying everything else . Tired of it.

Hey Shawley thanks for the reply.. I do have a pm dr and I am on pain meds.. but I would like to get back to work and the pain meds are not cutting it... they make it possible to get out of bed and do my daily activities but that is about it...I guess I am really looking for a solution, something to make it better... thanks Angelia

Yeah I know what you mean , these pain med's are not a solution just a mask , but I don't think there's much hope for scar tissue. Like I said before I just had some removed and so far no relief . I'm sure others had relief but not yet for me . Good Luck

I went through the same thing. I had a lamindectomy and microdisectomy (they also ended up removing a bone spur that did not show up on my MRI) on L3-4 on April 4th 2006. 6 weeks later the pain came back slowly at first back to original level. I had another MRI, which the radiologist said showed scar tissue. My MRI was digital so that when my doc looked at it and zoomed in on the "Scar Tissue" it turned out to be re-herinated. Well I had a fusion last Thursday. When the doc got in he found that I had blown out the disk close to the original herniation. The quality of the the MRI & also the doctor's diagnostic skills make all the difference. A second opinion is called for and If you don't like that answer a third & a fourth.

THERE IS A SOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angel: I was in your boat too, and still am, but am slowly working my way out. Scar tissue can be rid of with a procedure called, Racz procedure! I had a lumbar fusion 2 years ago and have been in pain ever since. During the surgery, my PMD said that there were nerves that were entrapped and had caused the growth of scar tissue. Then the doctor (?) who has been doing my Acupuncture says that I have scar tissue from about T6 (or around the rib cage) all the way down to my hips. I also have scar tissue in the front of my stomach all along the incision from where they went in to do the first part of the surgery (I was cut open first in the front, had the disc removed, a new one replaced and then flipped over and all the pieces from the shattered one was removed). However, back to the subject.I have been in so much pain for the last two years that almost daily I have thought of suicide. I just turned 36 a few days ago and I have two little girls who are 7 & 6 and that is the only reason I am here typing this letter. I was so frustrated with the pain that I have tried everything my PM Dr. has suggested post surgery to try to lessen the pain. This includes ESI, 2x's. Facet Injections, SI Injections, Trigger point injections, Cryotherapy, and I have been on Morphine, Oxy., you name it, I've had it, and I STILL hurt!!So, they were going to do an implantable device and I went to my doctors website to read about it and that’s when I found out about, dump, duh, da, (drum roll please!) Racz Procedure! It is a saline injection that actually melts the scar tissue! So far, I have had two injections done, and I cannot begin to tell you how much of a difference in my life it has made! I still have pain and there is still work to be done, but now I know there is a solution! So forget about wasting your time and money on ESI, find a Doctor in your area who performs Racz procedures, not everyone does, it is for the highly skilled doctor, and get it done! Best wishes and sorry for such a lengthy explanation, I just wanted to thorough.Stacey

Hey thanks everyone for the replies... I did go ahead and schdule the ESI for next Thurs.. because I can't get into see the other nero untill 9-11 and I figured that would be his first step... so I would get it out of the way,,, and who knows mabye just mabye it will work. I did have one done pre op last Jan and got zero relief from it....I was in more pain after... so we will see.
Stacy thanks for the info on the Racz procedure I am going to look up some info on that one,,, I have never heard of it... thanks again Angelia

Stacey whats the catch ? My Dr is up to speed with all this new stuff. Atleast I thought he was..Is this proceedure safe ? I'm curious why he didn't offer it to me . I'll have to ask him about it ,plus I'm going to do a little research on it , Thanks

Ok I did a little research on the Racz procedure , it was approved in 2001
It only last for a couple weeks or months. ( varies in people .) Steroid injections are also used in the procedure. The only bad side effect I seen is bleeding or possible nerve injury . Anything to do with steroids isn't good.