Effectiveness of cortisone injections/saline muscle injections?

[Kokanee]

An option that my GP has discussed with me is a standard cortisone injection to hopefully lessen the pain I'm experiencing. I take it a injection works for a couple of months then wears off? I've spoken w/ co-workers whom have had the same previously and unfortunately their docs were approaching it from the "let's wait and see if the injections fix the problem" angle, halting all progress towards a final solution. Is this a common practice? I was under the assumption that cortisone injections are a treatment and not a cure?

Also, my neurologist has recommended saline injections in my trap muscles bilaterally, for pain management. I have not been able to find any information regarding this sort of therapy online, has anyone here ever heard of it/experienced it?

Cheers

[Justin]

An option that my GP has discussed with me is a standard cortisone injection to hopefully lessen the pain I'm experiencing. I take it a injection works for a couple of months then wears off? I've spoken w/ co-workers whom have had the same previously and unfortunately their docs were approaching it from the "let's wait and see if the injections fix the problem" angle, halting all progress towards a final solution. Is this a common practice? I was under the assumption that cortisone injections are a treatment and not a cure?

Cortisone injections are a "treatment" for an inflammatory process. I would exhaust all conservative treatment including injections before you entertain the idea of surgery. Surgery is forever "burning a bridge" no matter how you cut it.

Also, my neurologist has recommended saline injections in my trap muscles bilaterally, for pain management. I have not been able to find any information regarding this sort of therapy online, has anyone here ever heard of it/experienced it?

Cheers

I've never experienced saline injections myself, but I have spoken with Spine Patients that have found them helpful.

See this article on Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy: An Expert Interview With Paul H. Goodley, MD. (You might have to sign up / login to see the article.)

[Kokanee]

Thanks for the link on the saline injections Justin!

I am definitely all for exhausting every last option before going to a cutter. However I am "under the gun" so to speak wrt how much time I have. I really only have six months left before I could be declared "unfit for service" and bounced out of the military on a medical pension. I would prefer that not happen and stay in for many years of course

[Justin]

Thanks for the link on the saline injections Justin!

I am definitely all for exhausting every last option before going to a cutter. However I am "under the gun" so to speak wrt how much time I have. I really only have six months left before I could be declared "unfit for service" and bounced out of the military on a medical pension. I would prefer that not happen and stay in for many years of course

No problem, Kokanee. I completely understand about your "time crunch" -- I have been in a similar experience with school. What has helped me is to think long-term, despite artificial deadlines in the way. I do hope you feel better and that you will get back to "living" your life...pain can rob you of so much. Hang in there!