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Have Prolapsed Disc, Took Nerve Root Block Injection, No Relief. Sciatica Down Foot. Options For Pain Management?
I have had a prolopsed disc L4/L5 for over 10 years. I have chosen to avoid surgery up to now but have had x3 nerve root block injections when the pain has got bad but these no longer seem to work. At least once a year my back will go leaving me in incredible pain and unable to walk for the first 2-3 weeks without huge pain. I get the obvious side effects, sciatica down to my foot etc but this time round I have also had a lot of pain in front upper leg musccles which has never happended before. I have just had an mri and it shows the same as always but L3/L4 is also now protruding. I am a sportsman and want to be able to keep competing (rugby / triathlons) so can you please advise on best options for pain management moving forward - I have been told about ozone treatment as a possible option?
Wed, 18 Sep 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
This is just to let you know that Ozone therapy only works for Contained discs which implies that the peripheral rim of the disc (annulus fibrosus) shoud be intact. So ozone therapy is only helpful in PROTRUDING discs but not PROLAPSED DISCS (in which annulus will be torn facilitating the extrusion of the disc material).
In contained discs, injection of ozone causes shrinkage of the disc, thus reducing its volume and lessening pressure on the nerves producing pain relief.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
This is just to let you know that Ozone therapy only works for Contained discs which implies that the peripheral rim of the disc (annulus fibrosus) shoud be intact. So ozone therapy is only helpful in PROTRUDING discs but not PROLAPSED DISCS (in which annulus will be torn facilitating the extrusion of the disc material).
In contained discs, injection of ozone causes shrinkage of the disc, thus reducing its volume and lessening pressure on the nerves producing pain relief.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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