Procedure Instructions

Pre-Procedure Instructions for Injections including Facet Block, Epidural Steroid, Sacroiliac Joint, Trigger Point or Nerve Root Block
 

• DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the procedure

   

• If you are taking any anti-inflamatory medications, please stop taking them 5 days prior to the procedure. Contact your physician if you feel the need to take an alternative medication.

   

• If you are taking any aspirin, please stop taking it
  7 days prior to the procedure.

   

• Note: You must have someone drive you to your appointment or you will not be able to have the procedure that day. You must be discharged to an adult for your own safety.

   

Discharge Instructions for Injections including Facet Block, Epidural Steroid, Sacroiliac Joint, Trigger Point or Nerve Root Block
 

• Rest today. Tomorrow you may resume your normal activity, (e.g: work, school, physical therapy). No strenous activity. Avoid activity which causes pain or discomfort.

   

• If you received Intravenous Sedation or Epidural Injection, anesthetics can remain in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel sleepy, dizzy and/or slightly nauseous. This is normal for the next 24 hours.
  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or use power tools.
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
  • Do not make any important or legal decisions

     

• After an Epidural Steroid Injection, you may experience a headache. This occurs in less than 1% or patients and is relieved by lying down. If this happens, you need follow these instructions explicitly:
  • Drink plenty of water (3-4 liters) or juice per day.
  • Lie down flat with head no higher than one pillow for 24 - 36 hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom.
  • Caffiene may help as well. Drink some caffeinated beverages.
  • Take prescribed pain medication

     

• After Trigger Point Injections, you may be sore at the injection site for several days. The medication injected may make you feel shaky and make your heart feel that it is beating fast. This will subside in about 6-8 hours. If you have any shortness of breath, call the office and go to the nearest emergency room.

   

• After the Epidural Steroid Injection, your legs may feel shaky or weak today; this is temporary and will wear off. We strongly suggest a responsible adult be with you for the rest of the day for your own safety.

   

• Use ice for the first 24 hours, for soreness and discomfort at the injection site. Then use heat or ice (whichever is more comfortable for you) for 20 minutes at a time, 3-5 times a day for your comfort.

  MEDICATIONS
   

• Take pain medication as directed by prescription.

  DIET
   

• Eat a well-balanced diet from all four food groups. To insure good nutrition, stay away from fatty foods and high sugar foods.
• Take a good multi-vitamin such as "Centrum" along with 2000mg of Vitamin C. This aids the body in dealing with the stress of pain.
• Take one tablespoon of Metamucil for constipation while on narcotic pain medication.

Pre-Procedure Instructions for Discogram
 

• DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the procedure

   

• If you are taking any anti-inflamatory medications, please stop taking them one week prior to the procedure. Contact your physician if you feel the need to take an alternative medication.

   

Discharge Instructions for Discogram
 

• Keep the surgical site dry until the dressing is removed. Please remove the dressing from the surgical site between the first 12-24 hours after the procedure has been performed.

   

• If the surgical site is sore, you may apply an ice pack to that area for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the initial 24 hours. Then you may apply heat using either a hot water bottle or a heating pad as needed.

   

• Occasionally you may notice a slight increase in your pain after the procedure. This should start to improve within the next 24-48 hours.

   

• You may continue to take your pain medication as needed.

   

• DO NOT stop taking any other medication as needed.

   

• Unless otherwise instructed, you may continue with your normal activities once you leave the Center. However, in general, you should avoid any prolonged standing, walking or repeated bending or use of your upper extremities for 24-48 hours.

   

• If you are currently going to physical therapy, continue to do so unless your doctor instructs you not to.

   

• If you develop any other symptoms, such as fever, rash, severe headaches or weakness of lower extremities, please contact our office at 301-218-2000 or 1-800-PMREHAB