Please pay close attention to the following information/instructions:
If you are currently on antibiotics or being treated for an infection, please call the office prior to your injection appointment.
- You have been scheduled for a medial branch block. This procedure is a diagnostic injection to test whether or not the facet joints along the spine are a source of your pain.
- You will be receiving an injection of local anesthetic. The length of pain relief is anticipated to be 4–6 hours only. This procedure is not expected to result in long-term pain relief.
- You will not be given sedation for this procedure, as you need to be awake and alert immediately following to complete a pain diary form accurately. This form will be given to you and explained on the day of your procedure.
- We do not anticipate that you will experience any weakness or numbness in the extremities. Nevertheless, it is suggested that you bring a driver to your appointment if possible.
- On the day of your appointment, please refrain from eating or drinking 4 hours before your appointment time. You may eat and drink immediately following your injection.
- If you take routine medications, you may take these on the day of your injection as scheduled with a small sip of water.
- If you are on any blood thinning medication (Plavix®, Coumadin®, Aggrenox®, Lovenox®, Xarelto®, aspirin), please notify our office so that we may give you specific instructions about the length of time you need to discontinue these medications. In general, we follow the guidelines below:
- Plavix® – Stop for 7 days prior to appointment (you will need clearance from your cardiologist if you have cardiac stents in place)
- Coumadin® – Stop 5 days prior to appointment with an INR drawn the day before your appointment.
- Lovenox® – Stop 24 hours prior to appointment.
- Xarelto® – Stop 3 days prior to appointment.
- Aggrenox® – Stop 7 days prior to appointment.
- Aspirin – For cervical injections, stop 7 days prior. No need to stop before lumbar procedures.
- Anti-inflammatory (Motrin®, ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, etc.) – For cervical injections, stop 5 days prior. No need to stop for lumbar procedures.