48 hours on my back - AARRRGGGHHH!

[GregM4]

BTW, and of course this is none of my business but I'll ask anyway...did the doc that gave you the ESI do it under fluoroscopic control? Just curious.

[GregM4]

Here is a little information that you may or may not find of interest:

Neuroradiology. 2004 Nov;46(11):916-22. Epub 2004 Nov 11.

Spontaneous resolution of lumbar disk herniation: predictive signs for prognostic evaluation.Splendiani A, Puglielli E, De Amicis R, Barile A, Masciocchi C, Gallucci M.

Department of Radiology, Ospedale S. Salvatore-Coppito, University of L'Aquila, 67100 , L'Aquila, Italy. istradiolaq@cc.univaq.it

Spontaneous regression of lumbar disk herniation in patients who did not undergo surgery nor interventional therapy is reported in up to 70% of cases; however, no perspective study has clarified the possible predictive signs of a positive evolution. Aim of our study was to search for plan and contrast enhancement MRI signs able to define disk-herniation resolution. We enrolled 64 patients, affected by 72 lumbar disk herniations as per the classification proposed by the American Society of Neuroradiology (Nomenclature and Classification of Lumbar Disk Pathology 2001). MRI examinations were performed by 1.5-T magnet, using T1w SE sequences on sagittal and axial planes, before and after contrast, and T2w FSE ones on the same planes. The following parameters were considered: age, sex, level and size of disk herniation, its relationship to the spinal canal, clinical onset interval, type of disk herniation, herniated-material signal intensity on T2w sequences and its pattern of contrast enhancement. All the patients, conservatively treated, underwent clinical and MRI follow-up examination after 6 months. At MRI follow-up exams spontaneous regression of disk herniation was observed in 34.72% of cases. Among these, free fragments regressed in 100% of cases, herniations with high signal intensity on T2w sequences in 85.18%, herniations with peripheral contrast-enhancement in 83% of cases. Disk-herniation evolution did not show any relationship with location, size and level. Our study demonstrates that MRI, in addition to its high diagnostic value, offers predictive information about disk-herniation evolution.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 89-B, Issue 6, 782-784.

doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.89B6.18712

Copyright © 2007 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery

Observations on the natural history of massive lumbar disc herniation

G. L. Cribb, FRCS(Tr & Orth), Specialist Registrar1; D. C. Jaffray, FRCS, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; and V. N. Cassar-Pullicino, FRCR, Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologist1

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG, UK.

We have treated 15 patients with massive lumbar disc herniations non-operatively. Repeat MR scanning after a mean 24 months (5 to 56) showed a dramatic resolution of the herniation in 14 patients. No patient developed a cauda equina syndrome.

We suggest that this condition may be more benign than previously thought.

Edited April 1, 2009 by GregM4

[Fullauto_Shooter]

GregM4,

Wow - thanks so much for the great info. Even though I didn't fully understand all the med-speak, I do understand that history suggests there is a good chance that my disc herniation problem may resolve itself over time. I just got my third and final injection yesterday so I'm on my back (again) until tomorrow afternoon.

Not sure what flouroscopic control is, but he used a real-time X-Ray machine and injected dye to ensure the needle was in the spinal cavity. I'm Active Army and he's a military doc who specializes in this procedure. He told me he's done over 6200 of these injections both here in CONUS and in Iraq - great guy. On the upside, my Doc is a very active shooter too - he's going to Tiger Valley in Waco this coming weekend for TJs Carbine Course. He was telling me about his new Spikes .22 upper he's going to use for a portion of the course to cut down on .223 consumption while he was prepping to do the injection - very cool dude.

My pain level has decreased dramatically since the 2nd injection two weeks ago and I've got better mobility than I've had in a while. Felt so good I was able to place 15th in the LaRue Tactical Multi-gun match this weekend against some VERY stiff competition.

Thanks for letting me know about the studies and your own personal observations - you don't know how much you've made my day.

Cheers,

Doug

[GregM4]

he used a real-time X-Ray machine and injected dye to ensure the needle was in the spinal cavity

Great! That's fluoroscopic control...wanted to make sure that he wasn't injecting you blindly and hoping for the best...believe it or not, a few uninformed docs still do it that way.

So glad to hear that you're feeling better. It sounds like you have a world-class doc. That's terrific.

Greg