Opinion please as to weather a spinal injection is the way forward?

[jano432]

I have had a type sciatica for the last 6 years. It seems to originate from my buttock and so, 18 months ago I was diagnosed from my symptoms only and a consultation with an Ortho specialist as having piriformis syndrome. I had some physio treatment which really helped but the problem didn't really go away, I just got to the point where I could live with it.

Last April, it flared up again, big time. I went back to physio and relief was very temporary (minutes) and also had acupuncture etc. I was considering seeing another consultant (reasons as to why I did not go back to see the original one) and the symptoms eased, again not really going away) Two weeks ago I saw another consultant who sent me for an mri on my lower back as he said that the most common place for the nerve to be irritated is there. He said that the reason I have no back pain is because the pain is referred to my buttock and then down my leg. I was amazed to find that he had not asked for a scan of my piriformis as this was in the equation. The scan showed that one of my vertebra was mis-aligned and could be the reason I am having problems. He now wants to do an injection into the spine and I am aware that I asked his opinion but I still think the problem is with the piriformis muscle and think what he wants to do is by injecting is to rule it in or out. However, I am not sure that is necessarily going to prove anything unless my symptoms improve as I am aware that these injections do not always work first time.
Moreover, if you look at my buttocks and compare one to the other, the affected one, around the site of the pain has a large dimple, as if there is no padding under the flesh. The other one is very rounded. Does anyone think this suggests that there is a problem with the muscle underneath that area?? To be honest, I haven't brought this to his attention but thought he should have noticed himself. I think this is quite a serious measure to just rule something in our out.

[jano432]

Looks as if the injection is a long way off and my insurance co will not pay.

What exercises do I do?

[TheMadMan]

Had to accept that I will always experience pain but appreciate the pain free times and worship them when I can.
Important to face reality.
Some conditions become worse with treatment like some of the surgeries I had which created scar tissue. Nothing is a guarantee and sometimes things like scar tissue present more problems but I am thankful for the surgeries I did have and doing a lot better than when I was first diagnosed.

[TheMadMan]

Seems I have some of the same problems walking up curbs and hills with my degenerative joint/disk disease and I have had many operations and treatments. I had metal put into my back which lasted 5 years and had to be taken out due to nerve impingement. I had epidurals and the latest treatment was acupuncture which helps for a short time but some relief. Also message helps my back pain. As for other treatments, I have had nerve blocks which did help for about 6 months and I was walking again. Had to accept that I will always experience pain but appreciate the pain free times and worship them when I can. Latest treatment I had was a Botox injection in my hip area and that seems to be helping.
Ask around and do some research on your condition. I have been to many doctors and always research the doctor and his history as well as the procedures recommended. Hope this helps.

[jano432]

I do not have any other problems apart from the fact that my back is achy.  I have always had this problem and other problems with muscles being tight in my back due to sitting and have had chiro sessions for some years before I had the sciatica
Yes I have the cd with the scan on.  I have viewed them with the specialist.

I am really having problems with walking over a long period.  More problems with hills, stairs and shoes with a heel.

[caregiver222]

The injections always work, however they are pointless, except as a short-term reloief of excruciating pain. as they do not cure anything, cause deterioration of the verterbra in the long run, and are expensive. It does not "originate in the buttock". The problem originates in the lumbar vertebra which compresses the sciatic nerve. The injection is not "into the spine" but near the spine. The problem is not with the muscle. You have textbook symptoms of sciatic nnerve compression. The buttock pain is a "pain dermatome".  You might try A TENS device, and request a prescription for a transdermal lidocaine patch to be worn no more than twelve hours a day. Special exercises usually help, however you may end up requiring a laminectomy. Have the procedure performed at a hospital that does a lot of them.