Debra, welcome to the forum.... sorry you need to be here.
If I understand correctly you have never had any procedures done until the steroid injection. I also understand that the infection is unrelated to the injection????
I've handled over 600 clients now and have seen only a few cases of osteomyelitis. One case was secondary to discitis introduced with a PLLD (percutaneous laser lumbar discectomy) procedure. The other cases were long before I was involved and had to do with infections following open spine surgery.
From the tone of your post, it sounds like things are nicely controlled and you are making progress. I assume that the pain of the osteomyelitis is similar to tha pain of discitis. As one surgeon told me, "most patients are unable to ambulate." My client was like that... could hardly walk or sit up... just getting to the ER was an amazing ordeal.
Fortunately, he had a successful debridement surgery. The recovery was long, but he did recover well and the level ultimately auto-fused.
Thanks for posting. I look forward to learning more about your situation and hopefully we'll get some good news about your recovery!
All the best,
Mark
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