Am currently laying on a hospital trolley post procedure, so I thought I may as well lay this out here for anyone else who is facing the option, or just likes my ramblings 🙂 

My back pain is literally disabling. It’s because of my back pain that I can’t walk, and either use crutches over short distances or my scooter for longer. The last time I tried walking without my crutches was over a year ago, and I was in tears of agony after a very short time. The pain starts in my outer left hip, then sets fire to my lumbar spine which is where the actual mechanical damage is. Using crutches keeps weight off my left leg, so stops this process. However I’m constantly in pain in my back, standing hurts, sitting hurts, etc.  That’s not even a moan, I am so used to this now it just is. 

So the damage. My L5/S1 disc is prolapsed (herniated),  the two discs below that are completely dehydrated. This is known as Degenerative Disc Disease, DDD essentially means my lower lumbar spine is bone on bone. And that’s the bit that hurts! 

So today as a day patient I have just received two sets of facet joint injections.  In simple terms the facet joints join the vertebrae together, they contain synovial fluid, and they become inflamed,  just as any other joint can  with RA.  Is this caused by RA? Opinions do vary. However the disc degeneration is known to not only be more common in RA patients, but to progress more quickly.  And I don’t believe in coincidences, my back pain started about two months after my first RA symptoms. It would seem strange to me if the two weren’t linked, and my orthopaedic consultant said YES. Good enough for me. 

Once the local had been injected (small ouch) the consultant worked closely with a radiographer who was taking almost continuous xrays so she could direct the four separate injections in obliquely to exactly the right spots of my spine. I could see the xrays on the screen beside me which I  found fascinating, but I’d recommend turning  away if you’re squeamish!

Did it hurt? Yes. Each time the needle got near the affected joints. I kicked the table I was laying on at one point, but I  managed to stay still and not swear out loud, which I’m calling a major win!

Half an hour on a bed then discharge. They advise having someone drive you and stay with you in case of adverse effects. I know different people react differently to medication.  Having had this done today I’d happily drive myself there and back if there’s a next time. 

As it was my amazing Dad drove up from Wiltshire to take me, bless him! Thanks Dad 🙂 

Prognosis? Apparently it can take up to  two weeks to know if this has worked. The options are – it gets better, nothing changes, it gets worse. No guarantees in any direction.  I’m keeping in mind that I’m generally steroid resistant, but as this is applied directly to the problem as it were it may be very different. I hope so. So why go ahead with no guarantee of an outcome? 

Lots of reasons. Mainly boiling down to life’s too short. If there’s a chance of long term pain relief I’ll take it please. 

If you’re looking for further reading Spine Health is a site I have found really clear and helpful (no affiliation). 

Edit – as I check this for the usual typos before publishing it’s about four hours post procedure, and I’m just about to pop some tramadol. Just the usual pain level at this time. 

*As always these are simply my personal experience and opinions and should never be taken as medical advice.