Intradiscal Injections, OK or Harmful?

BumpooBilbe · 06-20-2005, 09:31 PM

Based on all of the information, I so gratefully received on my first post "I am looking for Hope", I am in the process of cancelling my coverage with HMO and am going back to Medicare so that I can proceed getting the help I need to correct my back problem (pain). I intend on getting a new primary doctor, a good Spine Surgeon Specialist, a new MRI, and proceed with plans for surgery. All thanks to Veterans Carol632 and Quietcook. Thank You both. Now to my question. Since it my be a while before I can get everything lined up for surgery, I wanted to know if an Intradiscal Injection is an unharmful method of getting temporary pain relief prior to surgery, or would you consider it a harmful to my current DDD condition. I would like some pain relief, but not if it is going to worsen my condition. I have a prescheduled appointment with the Pain Clinic on 6-22-05 and if this procedure is non-harmful, I was going to inquire about it. If you veterans consider it a bad choice, I will cancel my appointment as soon as I receive feedback. Once again, Thank You for your help. You have no idea how much hope you have given me. I just reviewed my post and now have a "stupid" question. Why do my posts have a blue envelope with an arrow pointing down on them and none of the other posts have them. I must be doing something wrong????????????

carol632 · 06-20-2005, 10:15 PM

I found this, written by Dr. Whitworth, 5 years ago. This is what he had to say about intrdiscal injections. I quote:

"Intradiscal steroids cause necrosis of the vertebral endplate, calcification of the nucleus (triamcinolone), nuclear cellular degeneration (depomedrol), and they just don't work. The studies are below proving these points. It is astonishing there are still doctors that use these injections with the evidence available that they are potentially overtly dangerous."

Unless he has found new evidence, I would not let anyone do this. I'll do a quick "google" on it and see what comes up.

Carol

carol632 · 06-20-2005, 10:20 PM

Also found this from Dr. Whitworth in 2004:

"04-21-2004 02:25 PM

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Marginal success

These have been performed over the past few years with marginal success as an extension of prolotherapy into the disc. There is very little science behind it and as noted in the article, it is entirely experimental. There have been no studies demonstrating safety of DMSO, chondroitan, glucosamine, or other chemicals injected into the spine. Patients who do this procedure are accepting it on faith that it will work. I have had marginal success (transient) in most of my patients in which I am doing these injections (performed approximately 50 so far).

I would suggest making a new post and asking the good doctor to clarify for you and comment as to whether or not he would recommend it for you.

Carol

BumpooBilbe · 06-20-2005, 11:55 PM

Carol632. Thanks for the information. I'm going to cancel my appointment and forget the intradiscal injection as an option. I don't want to worsen my condition any more than I already have by having the steroid injections. I'm going to hang on until surgery. Maybe my new doctor (as soon as I get one) will help my pain with some stronger pain meds to hold me until surgery. Again thank you for all of your help. It means so much to me.

peregrine · 06-21-2005, 06:28 AM

Two questions:

Are these injections the same as those given for facet degeneration; that is, in the lumbar joint? I am scheduled for my second Monday and now I'm worried.

I am also curious as to why you decided to go with only medicare and not a supplemental insurance as I, too, am having to make some new insurance choices. What information led you to this decision?

Thanks