Epidural steroid
injection today with Dr. Terry Cutshaw from the TOSH clinic:
I waited an extra hour and was
offered an appointment move time, but I was not going anywhere (appointment at
11:15, did not get seen until 12:15)!
He reviewed my MRI and stated
that I was a good candidate for surgery due to the severity of the compressing.
He tested my left foot strength which was non-existent. He told me
the shot usually showed about a 20% success rate with people in my condition for
pain and weakness (the % is much higher if your disc herniation is not as
severe). I opted for the shot.
It was a small surgical procedure
that took about 25 minutes. There was mild burning when the needles and
dye were injected, but the steroid was fine. He did grumble a couple of
times since he was having trouble on something called vascular uptake (made me
very nervous). Within 1 hour of the injection my leg pain has improved
along with a small recovery of strength--but not nearly enough. I made a
follow-up visit with him for next Thursday, but I have an orthopedic surgeon
and a neurosurgeon visit scheduled earlier in the week...looks like it’s time
to research surgery techniques! | 