Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a consultation before treatment?

  •  Yes. We need to perform a thorough assessment to determine if you are a candidate and what treatment will be best suited for you

What do I need to bring for consultation?

  •  Bring as much records available to you; for example: doctor notes, image results, lab reports

What do I need to do before procedures?

  •  Usually, just come in 15 minutes before your scheduled time

  •  Wear comfortable clothes

  • Continue your regular medication

  • Ask your doctor about stopping blood thinners

  • If you need sedation, nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to your procedure and have someone drive you home

Is the procedure painful?

  • In general, most of the procedures are well tolerated under local anesthesia

  • Numbing medicine

  • If you have an anxiety issue, we can perform the procedure under sedation (twilight)

Are the procedures safe?

  • Yes, procedures are done with x-ray or ultrasound guidance for precise positioning

  • A dye may be used to distinguish appropriate location and accuracy

What happens during procedure?

  • You will lay or sit on the procedure table

  • Your skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution

  • Doctor will guide you through the procedure

  • Procedures are performed under x-ray or ultrasound guidance

  • Small band aids will be applied on injection site

What happens after procedure?

  • Rest for about one day

  • You may feel immediate pain relief and numbness at the procedure site, which may radiate to other parts of your body

    • Your pain may return after this short pain-free period and may even be a little worse for a day or two
      o Corticosteroids usually take two or three days to start working but can take as long as a week

  • You can usually return to work the day after the injection but always check with your doctor beforehand

How long can I expect pain relief?

  • The extent and duration of the relief depends on the severity and length you had the pain for

  • A single injection may be enough to bring long-term relief; if not, a series of treatments are needed

  • In general, the more chronic and severe the pain is, the more treatments that may be required