To prepare yourself for what you should expect after the procedure, please read the following post procedure guidelines. They will provide you with information regarding what you should and should not do after a procedure to maximize the results.

POST PROCEDURE GUIDELINES FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT SERVICES

You can expect some discomfort following an injection. Medication lasts for different periods of time, depending on your symptoms and the kind of injection you have had. You may experience secondary pain from the injection site, usually occurring when the local medication has worn off (6-8 hours) disappearing in 2-3 days.

AFTER A CAUDAL OR LUMBAR EPIDURAL INJECTION:
  • Increase in low back pain and/or leg pain for several days.
  • Improvement in leg pain may be noted in 3-5 days, but may be delayed for up to 10-14 days.
AFTER A CERVICAL EPIDURAL INJECTONS:
  • Increase in neck, upper back and/or arm pain for several days.
  • Improvement in arm pain may be noted in 3-5 days, but may be delayed for up to 10-14 days.
AFTER A FACET INJECTION:
  • Low back ache, stiffness and increase in pain for 2-7 days.
  • Improvement may be noted in 3-5 days, but may be delayed for up to 14 days.
AFTER A SELECTIVE NERVE ROOT INJECTION:
  • Low back ache, stiffness and increase in pain for 2-7 days.
  • Improvement may be noted in 3-5 days, but may be delayed for up to 10-14 days.
AFTER A SYMPATHETIC INJECTION:
  • Affected leg or foot may feel warm for up to 2 days.
AFTER A KNEE INJECTION:
  • No knee exercises or excessive weight bearing on the affected knee for 1 week to allow absorption of medication.
  • Improvement may be noted after the 2nd or 3rd injection.
TO HELP RELIEVE PAIN:
  • Place an ice pack on the injection site for 20 minutes every few hours for the first 1-2 days after the block.
 HOME INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Keep activity at a minimum. If in physical therapy, you may resume this treatment on the second day following a block.
  • Use caution with ice or heat. You may not feel extremes in temperatures while you are numb.
  • Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery for 24 hours.
  • When taking pain medication, be careful as you walk, drive, and climb stairs. Dizziness is not unusual.
  • Prescription sent home with patient. Use as directed.
  • Do not make important business decisions or sign legal documents for 24 hours.
  • If you are taking anti-flammatory medication, continue as prescribed.
  • If you have any fever, severe headache, severe back pain, weakness of arms or legs, or any questions or other concerns, please call your doctor at ________________________. If he/she is not available and you need immediate attention, go to the nearest emergency room.