
Does Medrol Relieve The Pain In Back After Decompression Laminectomy?

Question: I am a physical therapist asking this question for one of my patients. She had decompression laminectomy at L2L3 but has had ongoing back pain since surgery. She had a SI joint injection which gave temporary relief for several days. She tries many things from conservative management with temporary relief. Her job is very demanding and requires two hour commute both directions. It seems the drive and stress of her job sets off her pain. She is waiting for approval of second SI joint injection. She takes gabapentin, percocet which she is trying to wean off of as well as valium to help with pain. At last PT visit she said these medications were still not helping her after a severe flair up of pain. I suggested asking her MD for medrol dose pack. He said he is not in favor of this secondary to her having from birth only one kidney. Is this truly the case or is this MD being overly cautious? I am the one seeing this patient daily and realize the struggle to keep a job and family functioning while in severe pain. Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
She should wait
Detailed Answer:
Hi
thanks for sharing with us your patient problem.
Anyway I share the same opinion as her MD, no need for cortisonic not just because she has one kidney but I don't think she will get reliaf from medrol.
I think she have to go for the second injection.
Continue the conservative therapy, as gabapentin I think it will be more helpfull a combination of antiinflamator's (naproxen) analgesic (paracetamol, caffetin or codeine) and miorelaxant ( Valium )
I think you should give her support because soon she will be fine .
Hope my answer will help you in curing your patient
Don't hesitate to contact for further questions
Best regards
Dr Eris Ranxha
Neurologist
She should wait
Detailed Answer:
Hi
thanks for sharing with us your patient problem.
Anyway I share the same opinion as her MD, no need for cortisonic not just because she has one kidney but I don't think she will get reliaf from medrol.
I think she have to go for the second injection.
Continue the conservative therapy, as gabapentin I think it will be more helpfull a combination of antiinflamator's (naproxen) analgesic (paracetamol, caffetin or codeine) and miorelaxant ( Valium )
I think you should give her support because soon she will be fine .
Hope my answer will help you in curing your patient
Don't hesitate to contact for further questions
Best regards
Dr Eris Ranxha
Neurologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

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