Pain Injection Instructions : Before the Procedure

Please follow the instructions below if you are scheduled to have an Epidural Steroid Injections or Spine Joint Injections.

Pre-Injection Instructions

• Eat a light breakfast/lunch prior to your procedure.
  
• Be sure to discontinue the medications listed below at least 7 days prior to the injection.
  
• As per caution, make arrangements for transportation to and from our office.

Note: If you have an allergy to any anesthetic medications, contrast dye, IVP dye, shellfish, or iodine, please notify the doctor prior to the procedure.

Medications to Discontinue:

• You must stop taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications for at least 7 days prior to the date of the procedure. This limits the chance of a bleeding complication.
  
  These medications include among others:
  o aspirin, ecotrin, bufferin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn (naproxen), Aleve, Relafen (nabumetone), Voltaren (diclofenac), Lodine, Cataflam, Feldene, Ticlid, Plavix, etc.
  
  
• Aspirin or Coumadin must be stopped after consultation with your primary care physician.
  
  
• You may 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

You should set aside 60 to 90 minutes of your day to be at the office in order to fill out the appropriate paperwork, change into the dressing gown and have a short period of recovery before returning home. You should also plan on resting for the remainder of the day. This procedure takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending upon the nature of the injection.