The Difference Between a Facet Injection and an Epidural Steroid Injection 

Had dozens of epidurals, worked for few months each, first facet procedure was amazing. When you have been through “the rounds” as you said, it is hard to explain how it feels when you find something that works well. Definitely not a cure though.

I had fhe facet injections 9 yrs ago before intimately having back surgery L5-S1 for a ruptured disc. I have degenerative disc disorder as well that has gotten worse. I had to have back surgery for another ruptured disc and it was pinching a nerve root in 2015 which was 3 yrs ago, it was pinching the same nerve i had issues with in 2009. It ultimately had pinched the nerve in half causing me to lose feeling in my left leg on the outside but still have excruciating pain on the inside of my leg and back still. I still have disc disorders and will likely end up with another surgery for it but for now, I am scheduled for facet lumbar injections today to see if they will help the pain I'm in 24/7. Arguing with insurance about getting these approved have been a pain in the arse to say the least! Good luck to all who have these issues, I feel your pain and it's no life to have.

Doc, This is very useful information. Thanks for taking the time to share with those of us in need of non biasest information to treat our ailments.

Great explanation, thank you!! I have had Facet Injections, Epidural Injections and Radiofrequency of the Lumbar Facets and you explained it was well as my doctor after seeing him for years. Do not hesitate to have this work done as it can be an amazing life changer.

I had Spondylolisthesis and had a facet joint injection done. Was fantastic and worked very well. When it wore off, I went back for a second one but the doctor couldn’t proceed as he said there ‘wasn’t enough space left to put the needle in’. I’m not really sure what that meant but he offered me the epidural one instead. I had that done and it has also been very very good pain relief. The difference? The facet joint injection worked immediately but the epidural one took a few weeks to work.

Very informative for sure. And it can relieve some level of anxiety for sure. But Doctor never explain about what can be worse in a worst case scenario after injecting all these in different different form. Doctor never wants to take their time to explain these.

Hi I travelled to California USA for stem cell injection in my spine for collapsed discs. hardly able to walk or function. pain 24/7. So pleased I went.i am now 60 percent improved.wish I could afford more.!as would be totally well I think. Regenerix was company. I highly recommend for anyone in that horrible pain.

Great explanation. Thank you. I just had 4 facet joint injection

Thanks Doc!! Great explanations. I'm preparing for the Radiofrequency ablation at L4-L5 location. Doing test run first next week, to pinpoint location, to make sure we have the right area. required by insurance.

Thank you very much for this information. I have been receiving facet injections and they are somewhat helpful - certainly better than nothing - as ordered by my G.P. However, after finally being able to get in to see specialist, he has ordered epidural injections. I am hoping that they are "really" effective. But now I know the difference between the two.

hi, what is the impact to the liver and or kidneys after having Facet Injection or Epidural Steroid Injection

Very good explaining video , dense , short straight forward , easy to understand without complected medical Latin terminology , i really appreciate the kind of doctors , who who knows that they are soaking to patients in beds or wheel chairs not to to a fellow doctors in a medical conference .but I think the Background was not suitable for the demonstration nor the color of the shirt one was conflicting with object or model talked about and the other was binding with it because it is or almost the same color . Please excuse me I do not have a Sharp vision .

They hurt. Have had many and none have helped but they all hurt so bad.

Great video! Amazing explanation!

Great video, thank you. I'm currently undergoing therapy for lumbar facet joint pain. I am hoping to avoid injections.

So they are basically bandaids. ...? My physician spoke of this. I have neck pain. Waiting on an ortho appt. I don't want a temporary fix that could have serious and life threatening side affects. What are options????

This is very helpful. Thank you for explaining!

Very clear and helpful. Thanks

I had my 5th series of injections today. Waiting on my Insurence to approve my ablation. Just the shots were amazing; I was a beast this year on my Jetski. I cannot have steroids, they cause severe side effects but even the lidocaine and bupivicain mixture provided good results. The injections are painful as my doctor does not do IV sedation, but the pain is worth it to get your life back.

how about the transforaminal approach

Thank you for this information🙏

Very nice explanation, doc

Great info

Very informative.

Whats good for spinal stenosis

Thanks for the useful informations but I have a question, if a patient has severe muscle spasm in neck in which the patient can not move the neck at all is the facet injection useful for relaxing the muscle?

so I have l4 l5 disc damage I had facet an nerve block injections today just wondering am I at a high risk of arthritis as I get older I'm 32.

These guys are dangerous... stay away!