• Patient Instructions Pain Management Procedures

  • Please follow the instructions below if you are scheduled to receive an interventional procedure of any sort, for example, epidural steroid injection or cervical facet joint injection. If you have any questions after reading any instructions please contact our office.

  • Before or pre-procedure instructions

  • 1.   Please allow a minimum of one hour before the procedure for filling out forms, change of clothes, etc.

    2.   Instructions with regards to eating and drinking prior to a procedure:
    a. Clear liquids: Up to 2 h+ours before procedure (Ginger Ale, Gatorade, water, etc). No fatty of acidic fluids (e.g. milk, orange juice)
    b. Food: Nothing past 6pm the night before the procedure

    3.   Please notify your doctor of any allergies to local anesthetic medication, contrast dye, shellfish, iodine or any others.

    4.   You absolutely must make arrangements for transportation – by a responsible adult – to and from our clinic. Please note that there is no exception to this rule and if not followed the procedure will be cancelled and/or re-scheduled.

  • Medications to Discontinue

  • Prior to your procedure, you may have to discontinue taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID’s) medicines or any other medication(s) that will increase your risk of bleeding complications.
    These include but are not limited to the list below.
    Aspirin (Ecotrin, Bufferin, Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn), Aleve, Voltaren, Cataflam, Feldene, Plavix, Coumadin/Warfarin, Herbal Supplements.

    Please inform both your physician who prescribed the medication and the physician performing the procedure and they will determine the length of time to discontinue the medication prior to the procedure.

    Medications You CAN Take:

    Please consult with your pain doctor with regard to medications (prescription and over the counter) that may be taken prior to your procedure. You are usually able to take Tylenol, or any of its derivatives. You may also take Ultram, Darvocet, Neurontin, Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycotin, MScotin, among other medications.

  • Day of the Procedure

  • At home, you must rest with a responsible adult for the remainder of the day after the procedure. You can resume your normal activities twenty-four (24) hours after the procedure unless the doctor performing the procedure says otherwise.