Hello Ive had back pain for the last year and a half. I tried physical therapy for 8 weeks with no relief. I had an MRI after that which showed I have 2 bulging discs L4 & L5 and one thats degenerating. Ive had 3 Epiderol Steroid Injections which helped tremendously at first but arent helping as much anymore. I cant get anymore shots this year and they suggest I get a medial branch block. This makes me nervouse because Im 90% sure it has gotten worse in the past year and Im afraid it wont fix all of my conditions. Is this something I should try, or is surgery my next step? Im only 26 and I cant imagine being in pain like this for the rest of my life please help.
Hi, You are having back pain due to disc bulge as suggested in MRI.pain got better with the epidural steroid, now nerve block is advice. I think you are just treating pain not the cause. You should see the spine surgeon. Take multiple opinion if most of them says surgery then go for it meanwhile you can go for block which will cover the pain, but the cause will be still there. When ever where ever you get convicted there only you take treatment. You shouldn't decide the treatment let specialist do their job you just decide the specialist.