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Took Nerve Injection, Unable To Walk, Pain In Feet, Back After Epidural Cortisone Injection. When Will It React?
hi I had an s1 root nerve injection on Friday 9th august (ive had 3 in the past 18 months that have worked great) by Tuesday 13th august I could barley walk. so I went back to my doctor, who sent me for another scan then I was given an epidural cortisone injection on Wednesday 14th. I'm still experiencing pain in my lower back, down my leg and pins & needles in my ankle/foot.. how long should It take to work? because in the past they have worked in a few day's. i'm supposed to be going to work tomorrow (standing for 7-8hrs making coffees) do you think I should rest more? or would going back to work make my condition worse? Thank you
Thu, 22 Aug 2013
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement, Dr. Saurabh Gupta's Response
Hello, Thanks for writing to us
Increase pain and symptoms after cortisone shot is known as cortisone flare, common side-effect of cortisone shots. A cortisone flare can cause an increase in symptoms in the first 24-48 hours after a cortisone injection. Do not worry, symptoms usually subside within a few days. The first recommended treatment is resting the area injected with cortisone to allow the inflammation to subside. Do not do any strenuous activity. Apply an ice pack to the area, off and on, for the first few days. You can take anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen (motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation.So I suggest you to give rest for few days more.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
You may be having entrapment neuropathy due to impingement of the spinal nerve roots. In that case you may need physiotherapy also to strengthen your back muscles. in this condition standing for 7 to 8 hrs may aggravate the problem. You may need some more rest.
Epidural steroid injections may take around 3-5 days to show their antiinflammatory effect on the nerve root leading to lessening of pain. And their effect may last upto 3-6 months.
Also, these epidural steroids will work more efficiently in an acute setting but not of much use in chronic cases.
Avoid forward bending activities and lifting of weights.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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Took Nerve Injection, Unable To Walk, Pain In Feet, Back After Epidural Cortisone Injection. When Will It React?
Hello, Thanks for writing to us Increase pain and symptoms after cortisone shot is known as cortisone flare, common side-effect of cortisone shots. A cortisone flare can cause an increase in symptoms in the first 24-48 hours after a cortisone injection. Do not worry, symptoms usually subside within a few days. The first recommended treatment is resting the area injected with cortisone to allow the inflammation to subside. Do not do any strenuous activity. Apply an ice pack to the area, off and on, for the first few days. You can take anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen (motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation.So I suggest you to give rest for few days more. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.