Navigating Lumbar Pain And LESI

This week, I'll only be sharing this update. Today marks my journey to undergo a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection. Accompanied by my son and precious 2-year-old grandson, we're greeted by surprisingly mild January weather in the Midwest—a hopeful sign, I suppose.

Despite my nerves, the doctor assured me of the minimal risk of paralysis, as he explained the procedure's purpose: injecting a steroid medication into the epidural space to alleviate inflammation and swelling, thus relieving pressure on spinal nerves. Unlike past injections for a herniated disk,

this time is different; the doctor revealed a tear alongside the herniation at L4 L5 in my lumbar spine. This tear, he explained, can intensify pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling down the leg—a reality confirmed by my MRI results. As the doctor elaborated on the complexities of a torn disk, emphasizing that the size and brightness of the tear correlate with the likelihood of pain, he confirmed my fears: I have a significant tear.