Questions on Hip/Piriformus/SI Joint Injections --- Bondgrll maybe you can help! - Back Problems Message Board

GracefulOne · 08-22-2007, 04:04 AM

Hello everyone, and a special hello to Bondgrll. Glad to hear that your waddling these days with your ever expanding little one! I'm waddling too and I'm not even pregnant! Congratulations on keeping your weight stable as well...I know that a small fluctuation does effect my back feels as well!

Well here's my dilemma, after my last PM visit 1 1/2 weeks ago for a caudal ESI, I haven't really noticed a huge relief from it. I think they are not getting at the correct area...the doctor mentioned looking at doing it in the Hip and SI area next time to see if it gives better relief.

You mentioned that you've had 2 large injections in your Hip and SI Joint and I just wanted to know how those went? Did you have regular ESI's before at other levels? I've had quite a few at L4/5 and L5/S1 plus RFA prior to surgery but they really didn't seem to get at the upper butt/hip area that continues to bother me. Are you able to compare the pain level between the the ones near the spine and the one in the hip/SI area? I don't know why but to me it just sounds alot more painfull.

Any advice anyone is able to provide is so appreciated!

kera4 · 08-22-2007, 07:42 PM

Hi! I have had quite a few SI joint injections, as well as radiofrequency ablation at L3, L4, L5 facet joints. After I had my RFA, my pain was reduced but I still had this low pain in the buttocks/ tailbone area that would not stop! My doctor did a discogram (because I also have a torn disc at L5/S1), but the pain was not coming from the disc and he noticed that the sacroiliac joints were "lit up" under the xray with inflammation. That is how I came to know that a portion of my pain is from the SI joints! Anyway, I get the SI injections about every 3 months or so and they really help. They are no more painful than the facet injections or ESI, but I do ask for light sedation as the muscles are so painful in this area for me. It would be worth trying, and you would know within a few weeks if it helps. Take care, Kera4

bondgrll · 08-23-2007, 09:48 AM

Howdy,

Those two injections are the only things I have ever done and I have to say I feel about 60% better which is GREAT! I turned down the caudals at this point because the shots have helped. I don't like needles and he just went in there and did it and it did hurt a little but the relief is great....he also knew exactly where to go so I am very pleased. It's been a little over two weeks and I am waiting to see how long the relief lasts. Getting bigger by the day....

GracefulOne · 08-23-2007, 02:40 PM

Thanks for responding ladies!

Bondgrll...I'm getting bigger by the day and I'm not even pregnant!

I'm going to call and report my results with the last injection and ask about doing an SI/Hip Injection...I have had such minimal relief with the caudal injections and I know that my hip and possibly SI is where the pain is coming from...I can't even imagine feeling 60% better! Luckily I get 'lightly' sedated and use the term lightly in jest, when I get my injections now...why are they so dang stingy with the Versed!

Do either of you know (or anyone else) if there are any problems doing an SI or Hip injection when you have fusion hardware? I was really suprised the first time I got an ESI after surgery about a month and a half ago and they did it caudally because of the hardware.

I just made a call and am waiting for the nurse to call me back. I'll have to report how it all turns out if my PM Doc ends up scheduling me for one or two...or three or four...

GracefulOne · 08-25-2007, 04:42 AM

Hey guys.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm scheduled on 8/30/07 for a left SI Injection and possible left Hip Injection...

I'm really hoping that this is the ticket that will give me some releif and help get me back into the land of the living...

In addition, I just wanted to mention that I've been doing an 'alternative' physical therapy for two weeks (cranio-sacral-ish) for pain and it seems to be helping a little bit...the basic tenant of it is to be more aware of your body's movements and to try to stop guarding...let yourself move through pain.

The biggest thing that I think has helped me is I was told to stop 'trying' to have good posture, hold my stomach in and keep my abs tight and to sit like a 'guy' per se...honestly, I can say that trying to maintain a more relaxed position at work and home and just being conscious of not being so rigid has helped a small amount...it's hard work though!

What is so funny to me is I was wearing a skirt the other day to work and of course you have the 'skirt' position that my Mother would harp on me about as a child...well I let it all hang out at my desk (nothing but the wall that is looking at me) and I actually noticed that I wasn't so stiff when I got up to move...I'm still having flashbacks to the 5th grade concert however in which I kept getting motioned to sit like a 'girl.'

Hope your all doing well!