Injection? Ablation?
 

Hi everyone,

The pain in my sacroiliac has really flared up. Sitting and especially driving make it worse. The last time this flared (over a year ago), my PM injected me, in the muscle, with lidocaine and marcaine. The injection put me in bed for three days. When I saw him this past week, he wanted to inject me again until I told him what my reaction was the last time. He said that injection should not have caused such a strong reaction & therefore, he did not want to do the same type again. (My pain level did decrease substantially.) Now, he wants to inject me, in the sacroiliac joint, using a fluoroscope, to see if there is a problem in the joint (SI Dysfunction). If it is SI Dysfunction, he wants to do a nerve ablation. My concerns are
1. The pain started in this area (sacro) when I got a nerve block. The nerve block injection site was in this area. I afraid to have another injection in this area.
2. I’ve heard that nerves can grow back after being burned (ablation) and cause even more pain. My pain level is very high now & I can’t handle any more.
This flare up has lasted 5 or 6 weeks and I am desperate.
You all have helped me tremendously in the past. Even saved me from an unnecessary exploratory surgery when I first got RSD. Any thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Linmarie
:grouphug:

Im not really familar but..
 

Hi, Im not really familar with a block in this area but I do know you should never be injected directly into a pain area of RSD. I made that mistake once and had an injection in my foot. I had the same reaction you did, excrutiation pain for weeks. As far as having the block with the fluroscope-to me that should have been the first step- i dont know how long you have had rsd- but if early it might be helpful.Hope this helps, CZ

Before RSD I have had that type of injection in the SI joint with fluroscope. It was helpful with the hip, leg & foot pain. It did hurt more for a day or so but did not put me down in bed anyway. After the first few days it helped immensely.

DebbyV

I don't have RSD. But I do have small fiber PN or central sensitization. In any case neuropathic pain along with some radiculopathy. I had facet injections done at L4/L5 and S1 over a year ago and then an RF. BEFORE I had this done I asked my Neurologist if it could make the PN worse, she said no and to go ahead. And she along with my PM explained that it is a medial branch nerve that is ablated...NOT a motor nerve. So, I had it done and it worked beautifully for a year. The nerves do grow back but you can repeat the procedure if it is painful. I want another one done since it has been way over a year and I know the nerves have grown back. For RSD people I am just not sure but it something you certainly want to discuss with your doc. I am just not sure what nerve your doc would want to ablate. I would find that out first.