Before your procedure
- Please arrange for a responsible person to drive you home after surgery or accompany you home. You will not be allowed to leave alone and unattended.
- If you are taking any anti-coagulants such as Coumadin or Heparin (blood thinners), notify your doctor or the Surgery Coordinator immediately.
- Please do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs for 14 days before the block.
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Naprosyn, Relafen for 7 days before the block.
- If there is any possibility that you might be pregnant, you should not have this procedure as it involves x-rays that may be harmful to the fetus.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke 24 hours before your procedure.
Day of your procedure
- You may drink clear liquids on the morning of your procedure, but do not eat any solid food.
- Advise the admitting nurse if you have any allergiesó especially x-ray dyes or Iodine.
- You will have an IV placed in your arm to permit access for sedative medication.
- Please arrive an hour and fifteen minutes before your procedure.
- Please bring your insurance card and method of payment for any monies due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and credit cardóMaster Card, Visa, and American Express.
- Please bathe or shower prior to your procedure. Remove any make-up, nail polish, lotions and oils.
- Wear loose comfortable clothing for easy dressing after your procedure. Please leave all valuables at home.
After your procedure
- Icing the area of injection 20 minutes at a time, three times a day, for 1-2 days following the procedure will reduce local soreness. On the second or third day, heat may feel better. Use ice or heat with caution if skin is numb.
- After the procedure, avoid excessive exerciseóeven if you are feeling greatófor one week.
- If you are currently in physical therapy, resume it the week following the injection (i.e., injection on Wednesday, restart physical therapy on Monday).
- Be sure follow-up care is arranged with your pain or primary care physician as needed.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR INJECTION:
- FACET INJECTION:
- You may experience low back aching and stiffness for 2 to 7 days.
- Improvement in your baseline condition may be noted as early as 3 to 5 days, but it may take two weeks for significant effects to be noted.
- EPIDURAL INJECTION:
- You may experience low back and sacral area aching for 1 to 2 days.
- You may experience an increase in leg pain for 2 to 3 days.
- Improvement in leg pain may be noted in the first 2 to 3 days, but may be delayed for as long as 14 days.
- You may note a headache, breast tenderness, nausea, or fluid retention from the steroid.
- SELECTIVE NERVE ROOT BLOCK:
- You may experience low back aching or an increase in leg pain for 1 to 3 days.