Question
If an epidural was administered wrong and you have lumbosacral transitional vertebrae back problems can this further damage your back?

Answer
LumboSacral Transitional Vertebrae,  Epidural Steroid Injection,  Staten Island Chiropractor Dr. Victor Dolan,  pain management, symptoms vs cause,






Hello Cathy,

Thank you for your question.

Just by asking the question,  I think you, or perhaps someone close to you has had an Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) with less than optimum results.....

My first recommendation is for you to speak with the pain management doctor that performed (performs) this procedure.
         As a Chiropractic Doctor, I am NOT an expert on what Medical Doctors do; just as MDs are not expert on what DCs do.

You ask, ".....If an epidural was administered wrong .....", can pain dysfunction occur?  Again- I would ask the MDs involved, but certainly ANY procedure can have perfect optimum results, or less than optimum.  Probably ANY procedure can have a 'harmful' result as well, unfortunately.

That is why many doctors (of any license) often recommend the LEAST invasive, least complicated, least risky procedure to treat any complaint or condition.  Only AFTER the less risky procedures have failed should a patient proceed to more invasive procedures.

Epidural (ESI) is minimally invasive, and has minimal risks, but risk is involved none-the-less.
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/epidural-steroid-injections-ris

As a Staten Island Chiropractor, I sometimes refer people to pain managment for consideration of an ESI. ,,, But, I do not refer for ESI unless/ until more conservative measures such as Chiropractic Adjustment    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11VN2sGMdbI ,
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuRwAkhTSbg .
         There are MANY different Chiropractic Techniques, if one technique does not work, there are literally DOZENS of other approaches that could be taken.  There are dozens of Chiropractic Approaches, just as there are dozens of different medications or surgical approaches that an MD could choose--- depending upon the patient!

Could your ESI cause a problem? Possibly yes, as can any procedure.  It would be best to ask/ communicate with the doctor involved, or a MD pain management specialist who performs these ESIs.

Now the second part of your question;

"....If an epidural was administered wrong and you have lumbosacral transitional vertebrae back problems can this further damage your back?......",  Transitional vertebrae are actually quite common.  According to  "Essentials of Skeletal Radiology" by Yochum and Rowe, copyright 1996;
up to 8% of the population can have transitional vertebrae.
         This same source states, "...The clinical significance of transitional vertebrae, especially at the lumbosacral junction, is still being debated and researched...." p 234.
         There are studies that say tranitional vertebrae do NOT contribute to back pain.  I myself have a 'Spina Bifida', luckily it is a Spina Bifida Occulta  http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700275/k.5F64/Spina_ , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spina_bifida .  This minimal abnormality has not caused me any problems in my lifetime.

You would need to further describe the transitional vertebrae that you(?) (the patient) has before it's contribution to a back complaint could be measured.  If the transitional vertebrae does not affect motion, is stable, has a disc, then it probably does not contribute to the problem of pain.

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I hand out an informational sheet to my patients-- straight from publically available information:




PAIN          

Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?   

RED  LIGHT  =   Trouble !!

Pain  is  your  body  telling  you  that  something  is  wrong.   
Think  you  should  listen??

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a shot?
Take a shot, 'kill the pain', but allow the CAUSE to continue?

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?


Pain  Killing  medication???  =    16,000  deaths   ( probably  under-reported )
        DEATH ! ? ! ?    better   watch  out  on  those  medications!!!  


         NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to  include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS

      The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement  recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice  to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

      NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ).   Many times people take NSAIDS  for  the pain of Arthritis,  not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.   These medications  cover  up  the  pain,  and  cause  the  problem  to   worsen.

http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together.    BE  CAREFUL  WITH  THAT  MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.


Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management;       Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);  FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine; Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to  Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 ; Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis) ; Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011


So, Back to the question at hand:
".....If an epidural was administered wrong and you have lumbosacral transitional vertebrae back problems can this further damage your back?...."= can an epidural 'administered wrong' cause a problem, yes,,,, any procedure done wrong can cause damage.
".....If an epidural was administered wrong and you have lumbosacral transitional vertebrae back problems can this further damage your back?....."= does the tranisitional segment contribute to the problem,,,, possibly, but most problably no.

I hope this helps somewhat.

I wish you good luck, and Good Health Naturally,
Your Staten Island Chiropractor, Dr. Victor Dolan


















Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management;       Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);  FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine; Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to  Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 ; Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis) ; Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011


www.drvictordolan.net