Question 1

what are some pros and cons for cortisone shots vs surgery for back pain?

Accepted Answer

It depends...: The choice in selecting cortisone versus surgery for back pain depends on the cause of back pain. Inflammation is best treated with anti-inflammatories, such as cortison while mechanical derangements may need surgery.

Question 2

what is better for severe lower back pain, cortisone shots or oral steroids?

Accepted Answer

Try Manipulation: Before resorting to steroid shots or systemic steroids, i would strongly suggest finding a do who specializes in treating low back pain with osteopathic manipulation. Many people have obtained adequate relief from omm to be able to take little or no drugs for their low back pain. It might not be the answer in every case, but it's worth a shot before resorting to steroids.

Question 3

if cortisone shots don't work what would be the next option for treating lower back pain that is sending pain down my leg n bottom?

Accepted Answer

Ask your spine : Surgeon. You need to consult with a well-trained spine surgeon to evaluate you and review your images, and review all options with you. If you have a compressive pathology like a herniated disc or spur pushing on a nerve, then you have a very good prognosis. If you exhaust non-surgical treatments, and injections fail to help then surgery will be a great option to address the leg pain.

Question 4

what otc/natural medications will relieve lower back pain and severe leg cramps nsaids and anything that causes bleeding is not an option.  cannot be stuck with needles or have cortisone shots. absolutely miserable, have  bad discs and arthritic hips. can

Accepted Answer

I : I would recommend seeing a naturopathic doctor.  These medications/treatments are not commonly done by spine doctors or surgeons.  Good luck!

Question 5

my mom suffers from sciatica in her lower back. she has been having hip pain and back pain. she is saying her thigh is numb and she cant feel when she touch on it. she had surgery back in 2008 and it got worse. she regret the surgery?

Accepted Answer

: Perhaps the symptoms are a consequence of a "failed back surgery", but other problems may be present, such as hip arthritis, sacroiliac dysfunction, etc.  The thigh numbness could represent an issue with the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.  A physiatrist could do an evaluation and provide approaches to rehabilitation and future management.

Question 6

can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Cortisone injections (why 3?...There is no standard to do 3 shots.) can help the inflammatory process of the nerve roots irritated by the disc hernitaion.  These injections do not "heal" the disc, but can cause accelerated pain relief.  Disc herniations occasionally resorb (disintegrate) over time, but there is no guarantee that a disc is healed once the pain is gone, even from injection therapy.

Question 7

can trigger thumb be cured without surgery or cortisone shots?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Sometimes it can get better on its own or with a splint. If that is not helping than often a cortisone shot can be very helpful.

Question 8

how many cortisone shots can i have for tennis elbow before i should have surgery?

Accepted Answer

2 or 3: Studies have shown that injecting the elbow makes it may likely that the tennis elbow will recur. After 2 or 3 injections it is time to consider other options.

Question 9

can you give me more info on trigger thumb, and can it be cured without surgery or cortisone shots?

Accepted Answer

Prob. not: Nodular tenosynovitis of the a1 pulley of your flexor tendon of your thumb(fpl) , or 'trigger thumb' is very common and can be both painful and disabling .'locking' of the thumb @ the wrong time can be problematic as u know. U could try wearing a splint and taking a steroid "dose pak"but this is unlikely to resolve the problem... If it continues to lock and hurt consider a1 pulley release.Gl!

Question 10

i have morton's neuroma.  have had cortisone shots, alcohol shots, epac and to no avail.  i hear surgery is risky.  thx for your advice.

Accepted Answer

What is : Risky about it? Have them cut the transverse ligament.....very little risk there..you can leave the neuroma alone ...if that doesn't work then you can remove the neuroma....

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Doctor answers about:

What are some pros and cons for cortisone shots vs surgery for back pain

A member asked:

What are some pros and cons for cortisone shots vs surgery for back pain?

A member asked:

What is better for severe lower back pain, cortisone shots or oral steroids?

A member asked:

If cortisone shots don't work what would be the next option for treating lower back pain that is sending pain down my leg n bottom?

A member asked:

What otc/natural medications will relieve lower back pain and severe leg cramps nsaids and anything that causes bleeding is not an option. cannot be stuck with needles or have cortisone shots. absolutely miserable, have bad discs and arthritic hips. can

A member asked:

My mom suffers from sciatica in her lower back. she has been having hip pain and back pain. she is saying her thigh is numb and she cant feel when she touch on it. she had surgery back in 2008 and it got worse. she regret the surgery?

A member asked:

Can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

A member asked:

Can trigger thumb be cured without surgery or cortisone shots?

A member asked:

How many cortisone shots can i have for tennis elbow before i should have surgery?

A member asked:

Can you give me more info on trigger thumb, and can it be cured without surgery or cortisone shots?

A member asked:

I have morton's neuroma. have had cortisone shots, alcohol shots, epac and to no avail. i hear surgery is risky. thx for your advice.

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