No one here has had the test. I came across the
imaging technique (on the internet) a couple of years.
I have no doubt it is a valid procedure that shows
great images. Will those images be helpful in finding
effective treatment - who knows? DRs, especially
surgeons, love technology but it doesn't necessarily
heal back pain.

The big question is "What is causing the nerve
compression at the sciatic notch?" Is it scar tissue
or is it muscles & ligaments in the pelvis that for
some reason are contracted & pushing everything out of
its normal position? I'm guessing scar tissue would
show up on the test.

If it is a muscle imbalance problem, the new imaging
technique will not isolate the cause of the problem.
All it will show is the nerve compression. So many
things come together at the sciatic notches, it is
hard to tell what is affecting what.

Have you looked at the following sites?
http://www.neurography.com/Index.htm
especially the Piriformis section ast
http://www.neurography.com/Images/Piriformis/Piriformis1.htm

There is a Dr in Santa Monica who claims to have
pioneered the use of this technology in developing
minimal access surgery. Traditional Piriformis surgery
requires a 8-9" incision. Using his techniques, the
incision is about 1". He also uses the MRN technology
for guided injections. And he claims using this
technology for guided injections is more precise &
effective than traditional guided injections. (Which
makes sense to me.)

We have had mixed reports from members on the
helpfulness of traditional guided injections. Some got
no pain after 24 hours and one got relief lasting one
year. But they were many different types of injections
(botox, steroid, etc) in different locations.

Here is my personal opinion - remember I have no
medical training - I think you are a very good
candidate for this test and injections (and possibly
surgery depending on the test results).

I'm guessing they might try a steroid injection in the
area of the sciatic notch to reduce swelling, thereby
relieving pressure on the nerve. If that doesn't work,
piriformis release surgery would probably be their
next recommendation.

Remember, the piriformis is part of a very complex
system of balance & counterbalanced muscles holding
your pelvis together. If you have the release surgery,
it may alleviate the sciatica but also set you up for
another type of low back pain in the future because
that system is altered, causing stresses somewhere
else. But at this point, it may be a risk you are
willing to take.

Please let us know your experiences with this test &
treatments. You will be the first using these
techniques. Thanks. Mary

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