Epidural and EMG

[gs106]

This is probably not the right place to post this but.....does any know if an epidural injection in the spine/nerves will affect EMG results?

[Meddac]

No. But poorly trained employees/technicians can.

 

[gs106]

Thanks Meddac

[Vync]

I have had a number of lumbar epidural injections (nerve/pain block), but all from private expert doctors (none from the VA). You might be sore for a few days. Sometimes it might take more than one before you notice results. Be sure you know the risks. If they don't use a flouroscope, ask them why not. It's your spinal cord. You don't want them digging around in there blindly.

[Meddac]

Lotion, swelling and, dry skin could possibly affect the EMG as well. Low possibility, but possible. Mostly it will be "operator error" that affects one of those though.

[gs106]

I had the lumbar epidural today Vync.  It was a private doctor and he was looking at an x-ray to guide him (I guess).  No pain from the injection site yet but of course my legs and feet are still numb.  He said he thought it would help but couldn't guarantee it.  That's a catch 22 Meddac...lotion and dry skin 

[Vync]

Hey gs106,
Sometimes the leg/feet numbness can continue for hours. If they happened to put fentanyl into the mix, you might get an unexpected brief viagra-like side effect.

I hope they at least sedated you during the procedure. I had one where the doc performed the procedure while I was sitting upright and it was awful. My wife said when it comes to the spine, get sedated, kind of like that old Ramones song.

I hope you get some relief out of it.