Understanding the Distinctions: Facet Injections vs. Epidural Injections for Chronic Pain Relief
Living with chronic pain can turn even the most straightforward activities into daunting challenges. Fortunately, there are various avenues for finding the relief you so desperately need.
Two popular options for managing chronic pain are facet injections and epidural injections. If you’ve come across both of these terms, you might be puzzled about their differences. Let’s delve into the unique characteristics of each and help you determine which may be more suitable for your condition.
A Comparative Look: Facet and Epidural Injections
To better understand the distinctions, let’s examine facet and epidural injections side by side, focusing on their purposes, injection sites, and approximate costs.
What’s the Purpose? Facet vs. Epidural Injections
One of the most striking differences between the two lies in their primary applications.
Facet injections are generally aimed at diagnosing and treating a range of arthritic and degenerative issues, particularly those affecting the facet joints in your spine but not extending to your lower limbs. These injections can contain either anesthetics or steroids.
Facet injection
On the other hand, epidural injections are designed to alleviate pain stemming from pinched nerves due to conditions like sciatica or spinal stenosis. These injections can also manage pain in the neck, legs, and arms caused by issues such as disc herniation or compression fractures.
Where Are They Administered?
Another aspect that sets them apart is the specific location of the injection.
Facet injections target precise joint sets and the surrounding areas of the facet joints, which are small bony structures in your spine that serve as passageways for nerves.
In contrast, epidural injections are administered into the epidural space, located between the “dura mater” (the protective membrane encasing the brain and spinal cord) and your spinal vertebrae.
What’s the Cost?
Lastly, the cost of each treatment varies but can be a deciding factor for many.
Epidural injections typically range from $100 to $1500, making them somewhat more budget-friendly than facet injections, which can cost between $1000 and $2000. However, these prices are subject to change based on your location, physician, and specific treatment requirements.
Facet or Epidural: Which is the Right Choice?
When weighing the pros and cons of facet injections versus epidural injections, it’s crucial to remember that neither is universally superior. Your ideal choice will hinge on various factors, including the type of pain you’re experiencing and its underlying cause.
Don’t wait to seek treatment if you have pain. Call Pain Healing Center or book an appointment online today.
Dr. Benni is a Comprehensive Pain Management Doctor based in West Central Florida. With over 10 years of exerience as a Certified Pain Specialist, Dr. Benni is passionate about providing Comprehensive Pain Management Services to guarantee the best Quality of Pain Care to his patients in Tampa, and Brandon Florida. To reach out, submit a new patient form appointment request here.
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