Do I need a consultation before treatment?
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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?
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Bring as much records available to you; for example: doctor notes, image results, lab reports
What do I need to do before procedures?
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Usually, just come in 15 minutes before your scheduled time
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Wear comfortable clothes
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Continue your regular medication
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Ask your doctor about stopping blood thinners
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If you need sedation, nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to your procedure and have someone drive you home
Is the procedure painful?
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In general, most of the procedures are well tolerated under local anesthesia
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Numbing medicine
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If you have an anxiety issue, we can perform the procedure under sedation (twilight)
Are the procedures safe?
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Yes, procedures are done with x-ray or ultrasound guidance for precise positioning
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A dye may be used to distinguish appropriate location and accuracy
What happens during procedure?
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You will lay or sit on the procedure table
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Your skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution
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Doctor will guide you through the procedure
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Procedures are performed under x-ray or ultrasound guidance
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Small band aids will be applied on injection site
What happens after procedure?
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Rest for about one day
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You may feel immediate pain relief and numbness at the procedure site, which may radiate to other parts of your body
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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
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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?
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The extent and duration of the relief depends on the severity and length you had the pain for
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A single injection may be enough to bring long-term relief; if not, a series of treatments are needed
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In general, the more chronic and severe the pain is, the more treatments that may be required