How effective are epidurial cortisone injections for a pinched nerve?

Question

I visited a chiropractor after being told that he might be able to help me with the pain caused by scoliosis/kyphosis/degenerative disc disease. I am in excruciating pain now. The result of the MRI is that my nerve is pinched where the curvature is. How effective are the epidural cortisone injections for a pinched nerve. Please someone help.

Answer 1

I have had many unfortunately neck,back ,hips, shoulders and head and back of neck

If they can inject the steroid in the right place it can almost be miraculous, if they miss that spot you will have no relief.

Its a c**p shoot on if it will work.

Answer 2

The cortisone will not do anything to fix the pinched nerve.  The shot may give a little temporary relief by decreasing local inflammation, but it cannot do anything to fix the underlying problem(s).

How many different medical/chiropractic opinions have you received?  It may be wise to keep seeking conservative treatment until you find a doctor with the skills to help you.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 3

You should not go to the chiropractor instead see a physical therapist or an orthopedist and also ask your primary care physician what he thinks of you going to a chiro first. Trust me he wont think much of him.

Most Chiropractors are crooks. Here is the truth about what they do. A chiropractor can do spinal manipulations to relieve stress on spinal nerves caused by things like muscle tension or a slight misalignment of the discs. The manipulation is not a permanent change of anything though, and no - they can't permanently change the natural shape or curvature of a spine. An orthopedist can evaluate the situation and determine if a scoliosis is actually present, and if a brace would be of help. A brace has to be individually fitted though- it's not a one size fits all proposition. A chiropractor can be helpful in musculo-skeletal aches and pains, through manipulation and massage- but aside from that it's all smoke and mirrors. If you have back pain from the misalignment, they can help relieve that. But nothing they do is going to be a permanent fix. Spines don't work that way. To change a spine takes surgery and braces. Most chiropractors are quacks and want to take a full body X-ray then proceed and having you going to them for a very long time. In my opinion they are a little better then a back rub. Also Chiro's do not have medical degree's I would not have him give me any kind of medication. He knows nothing about it and actually doesn't really believe in medicine.

Answer 4

Ok, I have lived with scoliosis since I was a kid.

You have to realize that chiropractics do not work overnight. It takes patience. Depending on how bad your curvature is you might have to go for a while. I had to go 3x a week for four months until I was completely straightened out. I also had to get a shoe lift and I still go every month for preventative maintenece. It's really important that you put an ice pack on you back after adjustments.

Because you have degenerative discs, you might have to ask around and find a chiro that uses the pro-adjuster. It's a special machine that moves the vertebrae lightly as opposed to traditional techniques. it's used on more frail patients such as the elderly who already have disc issues and need a gentler technique.

As for the cortisone, I've never had it done. Been too scared. It doesn't fix the problem, it just masks the pain temporarily. If you have too many done, you are putting yourself at risk for permanent liver/kidney damage. Then if its a botched injection, you will be in even worse pain. A very close friend of mine had a botched epidural and is in constant pain from permanent nerve damage. Please think about it all and try to find a different chiropracter.

If the discs are ruptured/herniated, then surgery is your best bet. If your discs are that bad, you may also need a metal rod in your spine to keep the vertebrae aligned at all times. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

It really depends on the severity of the pinched nerve.  They have the potential to work wonders, but don't work in some cases.  It didn't work for my Mother, but she ended up having to have the disc removed (C5).  It did help temporarily but not as well as she and her doctor had hoped.  I suggest getting it done, it's worth the try.