Jeff Gordon has pain block for back pain

Benevolent One

Benevolent One

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Gordon hopes procedure will help pain
By David Newton
ESPN.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sprint Cup points leader Jeff Gordon underwent a facet block procedure on his back on Monday that he hopes will alleviate the pain that has gotten progressively worse.

The procedure took place in the Charlotte area and is not expected to keep the four-time Sprint Cup champion from participating in Thursday's qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 or any other weekend events.

"I was a little sore after the procedure, but I'll definitely take that brief bit of soreness if it stops the recurring back pain I've had," Gordon said in his pre-race release. "I hope that will end the back issues I've been having, but it's too early to tell if that fixed the problem."

Gordon said he will have a better understanding of the test results later in the week. He is expected to participate in a karting event on Wednesday to help raise money for the Jeff Gordon Foundation and Jeff Gordon Children's hospital in Concord.

"That event is always a lot of fun and it shouldn't be a strain on my back," Gordon said. "Even running karts I've felt some discomfort in my back, so that event may provide an early indication of how well the procedure worked."

Gordon first revealed his back pain may be more serious than thought two weeks ago at Richmond when he said an MRI revealed a touch of arthritis and other things he would not go into.

A facet block injection is performed to confirm that a facet joint is the source of pain and decrease the pain and inflammation in a facet joint or joints.

The injection is typically recommended for those who fail to respond to other conservative treatments. In some cases the next step if the problem is not corrected surgery may be necessary.
 
I had two of these done on my back at the Cleveland Clinic a few years ago. They didn't do me a bit of good.

They told me that if they provided any relief that they would next do what they call Radiofrequency Abligation (sp?). That is where they basically go in with a laser and burn or destroy the nerve to give you anywhere from 6-12 months of relief. That's about how long it takes for the nerves to grow back.

I hope this helps him. I felt even worse after I had mine done.
 
i like and respect jeff as driver, businessman and family man. hopefully this will alleviate his back pain and he can continue racing competitively. in no way do i see him continuing to compete with the type of pain mark martin had a few years back. he's too smart for that.
 
Are TENS(sp?) units still used? I ruptured L 4 and 5 years ago and prior to surgery the TENS was a God send. It blocks the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. I LOVED that thing.:beerbang:
 
Seriously, could he have gone through such a procedure or gone through the kind of pain he has without taking some sort of pain relief? Of course, as a HIGH profile driver, he has just about a snowball's chance in Hell of being tested or called on a dirty bottle.
 
PettyBlue said:
Seriously, could he have gone through such a procedure or gone through the kind of pain he has without taking some sort of pain relief? Of course, as a HIGH profile driver, he has just about a snowball's chance in Hell of being tested or called on a dirty bottle.
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Now see this is worthy of a discussion unlike the other thread about Mayfield. High Profile that is the key, that is the point I was trying to convey in the other thread. Gordon will not be called out on any pain meds, he is too "important" to the well being of Nascar, whereas Mayfield is expendable.
 
Well, I can't help being an advocate being an advocate for the underdogs and "little guys" in the sport. I really get sick of hearing about the Michael Vicks and Alex Rodriguezes , the poor little billionaires that couldn't obey the rules in spite of already having everything.
 
Mopardh9 said:
Now see this is worthy of a discussion unlike the other thread about Mayfield. High Profile that is the key, that is the point I was trying to convey in the other thread. Gordon will not be called out on any pain meds, he is too "important" to the well being of Nascar, whereas Mayfield is expendable.
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I would imagine that he, being "high profile and important" would have his doctors confer with anyone necessary before prescribing meds.. I betcha he wouldn't take a chance (being high profile and important).
Betsy:rolleyes:
 
Betsy said:
I would imagine that he, being "high profile and important" would have his doctors confer with anyone necessary before prescribing meds.. I betcha he wouldn't take a chance (being high profile and important).
Betsy:rolleyes:
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Exactly, Betsy. I bet he had all his ducks in a row before the procedure.
 
If Truex can handle a kidney stone with nothing but Advil then Jeff can deal with the back pain with nothing but Advil, physical therapy and a good old heating pad:D
 
Some of you really aren't suggesting that he just 'suck it up' and race, are you? Last I looked, he was the points leader. I would imagine that things must have been pretty painful to have risked some sort of procedure well into the season.
 
Newracefan said:
If Truex can handle a kidney stone with nothing but Advil then Jeff can deal with the back pain with nothing but Advil, physical therapy and a good old heating pad:D
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Yeah, and how many races did he run in that condition.

Jeff, as opposed to Jeremy is smart enough to have everything in order when taking care of his back problem.
 
SST55 said:
Are TENS(sp?) units still used? I ruptured L 4 and 5 years ago and prior to surgery the TENS was a God send. It blocks the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. I LOVED that thing.:beerbang:
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Yes they are available, but don't always help. In my case, the TENS unit they gave me made the problem even worse because it causes the muscles to become very tight and spasm. Everybody is different.
 
Newracefan said:
If Truex can handle a kidney stone with nothing but Advil then Jeff can deal with the back pain with nothing but Advil, physical therapy and a good old heating pad:D
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John Roberts was on the radio this afternoon. He said the doctors had diagnosed the problem with Jeff's back. Seems he's been carrying Lil'E for nearly 18 months....

As to Truex, Roberts said that the kidney stone was the only thing Truex had passed all year. He was on a roll. Mark Packer said it was a good thing the drivers were in the cars and didn't hear what he said. :D
 
barelypure said:
John Roberts was on the radio this afternoon. He said the doctors had diagnosed the problem with Jeff's back. Seems he's been carrying Lil'E for nearly 18 months.... :D
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At first I thought he might have Kyle Syndrome but then I realized that is not back pain but a pain in the ass instead. :D
 
barelypure said:
John Roberts was on the radio this afternoon. He said the doctors had diagnosed the problem with Jeff's back. Seems he's been carrying Lil'E for nearly 18 months....

As to Truex, Roberts said that the kidney stone was the only thing Truex had passed all year. He was on a roll. Mark Packer said it was a good thing the drivers were in the cars and didn't hear what he said. :D
Click to expand...

:lol2::lol2:
 
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