I have been getting the shots for back AND hips...if done right, you are GREAT for almost 4 months. Then you need to do it again. I have been getting them for about 4 years now. It does NOT CURE anything. HOWEVER if done right, you get off the table and you are pain free !!! I can walk !!
As I mentioned.." IF DONE RIGHT " I have had 3 or 4 times when the doctor was not all that expierenced, and I got about 3 days of not so great...then back to where I was.
You can only get shots 4 times a year, in calif. In arizona it was way different.
I have severe arthritis / bursitis, in both hips., besides the back problem.
In the phx. area I went on a tuesday one week for the back shots, and exactly one week later for the hips...so I was completly pain free for 4 months.
However, I now live in san diego, and can get only back or hips every 4 months. This does not work out for me, personally, because that means since I alternate, that here I have to wait 8 months for one of them. So I, personally am never pain free...
I have waited almost 4 months to get my back done..was schduled for aug. 7th...howerver, if you have ANYTHING,ANY infection,(i have what they call a yeast infection, which they are treating with athelete's foot cream), they bump you out. Now I have to wait an extra month to get the shots.
ask your neurologist or person doing the injections about whether you are a candidate for an x-stop. Its a simple procedure where they place a spacer in between the 2 bones that are too close together. It is often done as a day procedure or only one night in hospital . Look it up on line to see what it looks like and what it does.
I don't know how old you are, whether you have ostoporosis, how stiff your spine it, etc etc
so your doctor will be able to answer further questions.
susan122
My Mom just had this done a couple of weeks ago and it's already bothering her again----
everyone is different--so never have to do this again--some have to have it done monthly.
And yes, they do laser spine surgery for stenosis, I don't know anything about it, I had traditional back surgery. I would research it thoroughly before having it done.
Take Care