Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 7/14/2009

Question
for over a year I have suffered from and been treated with corisone shots for muscle spasms in my middle back that extend into my side under my ribs.  The relief from the cortisone is wearing off more and more every day, and now I have bluish colored veins and bruising on my skin near my spine where the injections were given.  It is very achy and I am wondering if these viens have been caused by the muscle spasms or the cortisone?  Thank you for your time

Answer
muscle spasms, cortisone shots, varicose veins,





Hello Lin,


I am sorry to hear of your complaints and complications.

For medication questions, such as cortisone, you need to talk to your medical doctor, or a medical doctor on this board.  This said, we can have a conversation on your complaints, but realize this is not specific to your case, not recommendation in your or any medical case.

First, what does your Doctor of Chiropractic say about the muscle spasms in your back?  Do the adjustments help, does the adjunctive physiotherapy help.  Usually chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment for back spasms, and often muscle spasms elsewhere in the body as well.

Varicose veins are caused by circulatory, vascular insufficiency.

Cortisone can cause demineralization of bone/ joint/ tendon tissue; and that is why many MDs often will not give more then three cortisone injections into the same area.

"Tendons can be weakened by corticosteroid injections in or near tendons. Tendon ruptures as a result have been reported."
http://www.medicinenet.com/cortisone_injection/page2.htm "In people who have diabetes, cortisone injections can elevate the blood sugar. In patients with underlying infections, cortisone injections can suppress the body's ability to fight the infection and possibly worsen the infection or may mask the infection by suppressing the symptoms and signs of inflammation. Generally, cortisone injections are used with caution in people with diabetes and avoided in people with active infections. Cortisone injections are used cautiously in people with blood-clotting disorders."

Cortisone is a powerful medication.  Repeated injections for the symptom of the muscle spasm may cause complication.

Can the varicose veins be caused by cortisone injections?  I do not know.  Many medications have known and unknown side effects and complications.  Can the cortisone cause the varicosities?- best to ask your medical doctors about that.

"....where the injections were given....."- the problems are where the shots were given?- best to ask the medical doctor why the 'bruises', 'vein collections' coincide with the injection locations.

I do not know of muscle spasms causing varicose veins.  Muscle spasms can be caused by vascular insufficiency, muscle spasm can be caused by the varicosity.

Treating over a year, and now with complications, perhaps it is time for a second opinion on the medications.

In my office I utilize a handout which kind of touches on this subject:





PAIN    

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.  

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

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 painkiller?  
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?



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) ;

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.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )
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 ‘Subluxation’. 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- ‘Subluxation’ – 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;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, 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

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I would recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic to evaluate those back spasms.

I would recommend asking the MD about the side effects of powerful medications like cortisone, prednisone, etc.


If you need further,,, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at
AllExperts.
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm



Wishing you Good Luck, Good Health, and health improvement,
your Internet Chiropractic Staten Island Expert,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com - - -- - Email NewsLetter