HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can Injections For Chronic Pain Lead To Buttock Muscle Weakness?

Posted on Mon, 16 Oct 2017

Question: Hi there. How are you? Great I hope!
Question: Can receiving injections in lower back for excruciating chronic pain (degenerative disk disease) cause my buttock muscles to weaken or slowing disappear. Since I received the injections approx a year ago, my buttocks has gotten flatter & flatter. PT didnt & doesnt build the muscles back up, so what can I do to get my buttocks muscle tone back? Thanks for being there! BW

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Injections in lower back generally do not cause weakness.

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
Injections for chronic back pain are given frequently but not very repeatedly since they lose the effectiveness. The degenerative disc disease is known to cause weakness and gradual loss of power , particularly more when there is pressure on the nerves. Weakness is also due to lack of exercises and due to less use of muscles , like say in walking etc. Injections in lower back generally do not cause weakness in buttocks.
To get back muscle tone , only thing is to do regular spinal extension exercises( which will be taught by a physiotherapist).
Thanx for the question. Please feel free to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor, but lack of exercise is not the problem here...also I already do regular spinal extention exercises along Core stretching exercises. I walk & stand & bend all the time. So lack of exercises is not it. While Sitting, and Wasting of muscles are! Is there any one particular technique that I should mention to the therapist that you are speaking of? What I am struggling with happened even after 36 sessions(3 x wk) of cardio therapy(arms machine, stable bicycle, & the treadmill, which I lost weight & muscle at the starting point of therapy, and approx 2 months later... 8 wks of hard physical therapy for entire body! Strange I know but true. I can deal with the soreness inside (very little tolerance), but losing muscle & very little info why is my problem, and what else can be done about it. Any other suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
spinal muscle strengthening execises.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
It seems you are doing all the hard work required for exercises. Only one suggestion -ask your physiotherapist to teach you spinal strengthening exercises.
Also I would suggest MRI of Lumbar spine along with NCV( Test for nerves) to assess the nerve pressure if any.
Thanx

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (2 hours later)

Thank you Dr. G. Goel,
Sounds like a good direction to follow. Right now your way seems to be the best but when I had the tests in the past there was no way of fixing the problems, told me about the bones, nerves, etc., and the pain continues, until I got injections. Not sure I want them again.

I'll get the MRI & the NCV asap., first have to schedule an appt with my primary doctor who has to schedule & set the tests up or refer me, at the hospital, because i am sick & tired of being sick and tired of this excruciating pain whenever I lie down or sit. Sitting is worse.

I had those tests done before but it wont hurt to do a follow up to see if any new developments.

Last but not least,
*** Is this condition crippling or anything I need to be concerned about in the future, if nothing changes for the better? I want to still be able to walk. What are my chances?
Can you answer this last question for me please, and I will be done?

I'm trying to stay positive & optimistic but it's scary & keeps me wondering whats happening next. I just want to be prepared if I can. I'm just nervous & this pain is unbearable.

I want to thank you again for pointing me in the right direction. Very helpful information which I will follow your advice.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Generally this condition is not crippling

Detailed Answer:
Hi
In my opinion this condition per say is not crippling in nature but I will be able to tell more after reviewing MRI.
Thansks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (7 hours later)

Thanks Dr. Goel,
You're good. Glad we chose each others!

So did you want me to let you know ( thru this thread here at HCM), what the tests show or the results when they're done? Or does this conversation end & when? First time using this service!

Don't want to lose you before you know what the tests show.

It going to be a couple of weeks before I'll know more. Let me know if you are interested in learning what the tests show (results)!

Regards,
Bettie W.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
New thread by name on HCM

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I think this thread will close soon. You will have to ask me about the reports by my name on HCM only.
Thanx

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana