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Before and After
Your Procedure
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE:
An appointment will be scheduled for your
procedure. Please be prompt. Please bring your insurance
cards and a list of your current medications with you.
Please have someone to drive you to and from
your procedure. You should also have someone to stay with
your home following your appointment.
Please do not eat or drink at least 6 hours
prior to your injection. Check with your physician regarding
prescription medications the morning of your procedure.
Stop blood thinners and aspirin products
at least 5 days prior to your injection. Please verify with
prescribing physician prior to stopping any medication.
If you are taking blood thinners, you may require pre-procedure
lab work. Please contact the office staff for lab orders.
If you are diabetic, please make your pain
care physician or nurse aware of your condition and medications.
Wear comfortable clothing and low-heeled
shoes.
If you are unable to make your appointment,
please call the office to reschedule 24 hours prior to your
arrival time. If you are late, your appointment may be delayed
or rescheduled according to the doctor?s schedule.
DURING THE PROCEDURE:
You will need to sign a consent form that
explains the procedure, it?s risks benefits and complications.
An IV will be started to administer relaxing
medication. (Optional)
You will have an opportunity to speak with
your doctor before you are transported to the procedure
room.
After you are placed on the procedure table,
monitors will be applied to observe your heart rate, blood
pressure and oxygenation during the procedure.
IV sedation will be administered if applicable.
The intention of the sedation is to make you relaxed and
more comfortable. This is not general anesthesia. You will
be able to converse with the physician if needed.
The physician will mark the area to be injected
then cleanse the area with an antimicrobial solution.
A local anesthetic will be injected into
the skin and muscle above the injection site.
You may feel pressure as the doctor inserts
the small needle into the appropriate location.
X-ray may be used to guide the needle and
verify correct placement. Please alert staff if you are
or think you may be pregnant.
Medications used in pain procedures may include one or more
of the following:
Depomedrol/ Celestone- injectable steroid?.reduces
inflammation.
Marcaine/Lidocaine- local/injectable anesthetic?numbing
medication.
Isovue- radiopaque dye? to allow the physician to see placement
with x-ray.
Fentanyl- IV/Epidural narcotic pain medication
Versed- IV sedative? relax patient for procedure.
Once the medication has been injected, you will be transported
to the recovery area and monitored for 30-45 minutes. You
will then be able to drink fluids. A follow up appointment
and discharge instructions will be provided prior to discharge
home.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
You may have numbness and weakness to your extremities due
to the local anesthetic administered during the procedure.
This is temporary and should wear off in 6-8 hours.
You may experience muscle tenderness at the
injection site for 24 hours following the injection. Apply
ice and to the area for 20 minutes every hour for the first
24 hours.
Once the numbing medication wears off your
pain may return at its original intensity. This is normal.
It may take up to 72 hours for the steroid to reduce the
inflammation. Depending on the amount of inflammation, a
second injection may be needed before a reduction in pain
is noted.
Temporary swelling of the hands and feet
due to water retention may occur in some patients. An increase
in appetite is also possible and can be attributed to the
steroid.
Headaches which subside only when lying down and cause sensitivity
to light may occur. Increase fluid intake and include beverages
which contain caffeine.
Continue all medication as previously prescribed
unless specific instructions to alter or stop medications
have been given to you.
Should you note the following, contact your
physician immediately:
Fever
Redness at the injection site.
Drainage at the injection site.
Severe headache which decreases with lying down flat.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Activity:
Rest the remainder of the day. Advance you activity as tolerated.
If soreness persists, continue to rest. You may experience
numbness or tingling in the affected area for up to 8-12
hours.
Do Not drive or operate any dangerous machinery for 12 hours
after your procedure.
Do Not perform tasks that require much skill or fine finger
work. Do not use kitchen appliances, knives and other potentially
dangerous household equipment.
We suggest you do not make any important decisions (such
as legal or financial decisions) today. Your ability to
concentrate, maintain balance and coordination and decision
making may be impaired the remainder of the day.
Diet:
1. Advance your diet as tolerated to previous diet, unless
instructed otherwise.
2. Ice chips or clear liquids (apple juice, water or Sprite)
for the first 4 hours. If no problems, may advance to soft
diet (ice cream, mash potatoes, etc.) for the next 4 hours.
If no problems, may advance to regular diet.
Special Instructions:
1. Do Not drive for 12 hours following the procedure.
2. No Not drink alcoholic beverages for 12 hours following
the procedure.
3. If you have soreness at the injection site, apply ice
for 24 hours, followed by heat.
4. Please take notice of the changes in your pain characteristics
and report changes at your next appointment. You may want
to keep a diary or notes to help you remember.
5. Continue to take all your medications ordered by your
Physician.
6. If a dressing or band-aid is applied, you may remove
it in 12 hours.
Symptoms/Problems- Notify Your Doctor:
1. Persistent or increasing pain.
2. Severe headache.
3. Any redness, warmth or drainage at the injection site.
4. If you have any fever or chills.
Additional Instructions:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Call Your Physician At ____________________For Any Problems
or Appointment.
If you cannot reach your physician
and feel you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to
your nearest Emergency Room.
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