Chronic pain often makes life miserable. It can interfere with work, fun, and everyday activities. Luckily, there are pain management options that can be used to help chronic pain significantly. These options usually start with non-surgical treatments, such as steroid injections and nerve blocks.
Two of the common injections performed for common back and neck pain are facet joint injections and epidural injections. Understanding more about facet joint injections vs. epidurals can help you determine which option is best for your situation.
Understanding Chronic Spinal Pain
Spines are susceptible to injuries and damage, leading to chronic pain. According to The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, [1] about 16 million people in the United States have persistent chronic back pain, which limits their activities.
One of the most common causes of spine-related pain is wear and tear. In medical terms, this can often mean degenerative disc disease or arthritis of your facet joints.
For example, the intervertebral discs in the back may slip out of place, leading to a herniated disc. Areas of the spine, such as the facet joints, can develop arthritis. Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, may also occur. All of these conditions may lead to the back pain you may be feeling.
These conditions can cause pressure on the surrounding nerves and lead to inflammation, ongoing pain, and weakness in the limbs. Non-invasive procedures, such as steroid injections, can be used to improve pain and functioning.
What are Facet Joint Injections?
Facet joints can become damaged from an injury or arthritis in the joints. Facet joint injections involve injecting a local anesthetic medication and a steroid into or near the facet joints in the neck or back. The numbing medication reduces pain, and the steroid decreases inflammation.
What is an Epidural Injection?
An epidural injection involves delivering a steroid medication to the space around the spinal nerves, known as the epidural space. The steroid acts as an anti-inflammatory and reduces pain around the inflamed nerves, thus reducing pain. The steroid does not ‘unpinch’ inflamed nerves but typically helps relieve the pain related to a pinched nerve.
An epidural injection may treat conditions that cause pain, such as spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, pinched nerves, and herniated discs.
Similarities Between a Facet Joint Injection vs Epidural Injection
Although they are different procedures, there are some similarities between facet joint injections and epidural steroid injections, such as the following:
Both procedures treat pain: Both an epidural injection and facet joint injection provide relief for different types of chronic back and neck pain.
Both injections are minimally invasive. They involve no incisions and minimal recovery time. Complications from facet and spinal injections are uncommon in most cases.
Both reduce inflammation: Typically, both injections use a steroid to reduce inflammation, which helps alleviate pain. The length of time the injections provide pain relief may vary from patient to patient. Discuss with your provider regarding the expectations of how long either injection may last
Both procedures use guided X-ray: During facet and epidural injections, your doctor will use X-Ray guidance to correctly place the medication, to ensure the best chances for a successful outcome.
Differences Between Facet Joint Injections vs Epidural Injections
The main difference between facet joint injections and epidural steroid injections is the location of the injection. Facet injections are administered into a specific set of facet joints or near the joints at an area called the medial nerve branch that surrounds the joints. A facet injection is intended to treat facet joint pain.
Epidural injections are administered into the epidural space near the affected nerve. They may help with referred pain that radiates from the spine to different areas of the body. For example they are typically intended to treat pain in the back that radiates to the leg or pain from the neck that radiates to the arms or shoulder. Epidural injections typically treat pain related to inflamed or pinched nerves in the spine.
Is An Epidural vs Facet Injection Right for Me?
To determine whether an epidural steroid injection or facet injections are a better option, you must first determine the cause of your pain. Depending on your specific circumstances, one type of injection may work better than the other. Your provider will discuss the best treatment option with you based on your entire clinical picture.
If your pain appears to originate from a facet joint, a facet joint injection may be recommended. Pain not caused by facet joints may respond better to an epidural injection.
Other types of pain management and treatment may also be appropriate for your condition. These may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, and other procedures.
Do Facet Joint Injections Treat Chronic Pain Work Better Than Epidural Injections?
Both facet joint injections and epidural injections are used to treat chronic pain. However, one injection does not necessarily work better than the other.
The cause of your pain typically determines which injection is likely to work better for you. The best way to determine which option is best for you is to contact us for a consultation.
Summary
Back and neck pain can occur for a variety of conditions. Facet joint injections and epidural steroid injections can provide significant relief for degenerative conditions and other types of spinal problems.
Both facet joint injections and epidural steroid injections provide a minimally invasive way to treat pain, which often means a fast recovery. Although the injection site differs, both procedures can help patients suffering from pain by improving overall well-being.
If you want to schedule a consultation or have any questions, please contact us today!
References
- Chronic Back Pain. (n.d.) Health Policy Institute. https://hpi.georgetown.edu/backpain/#:~:text=Nearly%2065%20million%20Americans%20report,condition%20in%20the%20United%20States.
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