Peri spinal etanercept

[Gtfern]

Can anyone tell me if peri spinal etanercept works ? I have had four back surgeries since 2000. The last two were for decompression of the L-4, L-5 and S-1 nerve roots. My third surgery was performed in January 2011 and the last one in July 2012. I am still having pain around my right hip, left calf , left ankle and left foot. MRI and  CT Myloegram do not show anything. Help !

[Gtfern]

Thank you for your comment.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Well, peri spinal etanercept is a relatively new therapy for sciatica type of pain. However, as with any new therapy, it has its success and failure stories. It is however known to penetrate the spinal fluid and cause rapid relief in pain. The negative side is that there is no pain relief (which actually cannot be a negative side as you are already in pain). As a note of caution: this mode of drug delivery with etanercept is still in late experimental stage. Hence it is difficult to comment on long term side effects.
Please discuss this in detail with your doctor. If there is no apparent spinal cord or spinal nerve compression then maybe you could opt for physiotherapy, traction and other manual therapy along with known pain relief medications for this. Do discuss this with your doctor in detail before trying any course of treatment. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.