Chicken, I will say that personally, I have facet joint arthritis and a disc that was "abutting" my S1 nerve root but they didn't feel it was really putting any pressure on it. I had a lot of pain when walking, and severe pain in the front of my thigh and in my heel, so the pain management doc decided to do a cortisone injection (I don't know if it was in a joint or an epidural, honestly). That was in March - for the day I got the injection I could not walk, I was in so much pain. The next day was the first pain free day I had in 6 months. I am just now starting to have a twinge of the same pain here or there, but I was not able to put my own pants on most morning because of my pain. I cannot say enough good things about the injections. They definitely got me moving again to where I could do PT which I also think helps with the pain. Whatever you decide to do, good luck! I ride horses, so I have the utmost respect for people who stand under them all day - I couldn't do it! =)