Back pain can ruin your quality of life, making it almost impossible to do things like clean the house, drive, sit, stand, or walk. While back pain can be a complex problem, the good news is that modern medicine may be able to offer effective relief. Here at the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics of Hollywood, we are proud to offer facet and epidural blocks, also called facet and epidural injections. What are these treatments, and is one of them right for you? Continue reading below to discover some important information, or contact us so we can personally answer your questions.
What Are Epidural Injections?
When administering an epidural injection, we deliver a steroid medication into the space that surrounds the spinal nerves, known as the epidural space. The steroid serves as a powerful anti-inflammatory, so it can reduce the pain of inflamed nerves. It cannot actually treat an inflamed nerve by “unpinching” it, but it is typically a good way to relieve the pain associated with pinched or compressed nerves.
In addition to treating pinched nerves, an epidural injection may also be used to relieve the discomfort of spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and herniated discs.
This treatment may provide pain relief that lasts for a few weeks or a few months. Some patients experience results that last up to a full year.
What Are Facet Joint Injections?
Similar to epidural injections, facet joint injections are also sometimes recommended as a way to address back pain. However, they use a local anesthetic instead of a steroid. They are also administered in a slightly different location. They are placed in areas called facet joints, which are small joints in the spine that allow for movement. Because nerve roots pass through facet joints, this treatment can effectively treat pain.
Facet joint injections may be used to relieve the pain of arthritis, reduce discomfort in the neck or back, or treat facet joint syndrome.
Which Type of Injection Is Right for Me?
Even though epidural injections and facet joint injections are both effective for treating back pain, they are recommended in different situations. The one that is best for you will depend on what is causing your pain. After a thorough examination, we can recommend a treatment that fits your situation.
Basically, if it appears that your pain is related to your facet joints, we may recommend facet joint injections. An epidural block is more suited to other types of back pain, such as inflammation or compression in a specific nerve. Depending on the specifics of your case, you might benefit from both types of injections.
Would you like to learn more about facet joint and epidural blocks? Our Hollywood, FL, team is ready to answer your questions!
