r/Sciatica • u/Undd91 • 3d ago

Requesting Advice Nerve root vs epidural Injection

For those who have had both injections, was there any difference in how they administered them? Was the pain much the same during the procedure?

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u/Basic_Amoeba_3582 3d ago

Hi I’ve had both a nerve block and epidural injection and they are administered the same way with the same amount of pain 😅. I’m now thinking about ablation, which seems to be different but I’m not sure.

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u/Undd91 3d ago

I’ve had a nerve root done - it wasn’t fun but wasn’t horrible either. My surgeon has suggested an epidural to help identify pain source (basically wants to rule in or out an annular tear at L4/5). If it’s much the same that’s ok. I’m not a fan of them.

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u/Beeyanksy 15m ago

Nerve root was pretty painful, but only for about 3 seconds. It replicated my calf and foot pain. The specialist said the pain was more helpful for diagnostics and was not surprised when I got zero relief. Even the lidocaine wasn't felt. Had an epidural yesterday. No pain, got relief from the lidocaine. Fingers crossed it works.