FAQs

Most of the steroid injections are safe up to six times per year. The number of steroid injections needed by a patient depends upon their response to the injections.

Since the injections are done locally and precisely using a fluoroscope (x-ray) machine, the amount of steroid injected is very small. Steroid side effects are dose dependent and at these small doses rarely one develops side effects.

Steroids decrease the local inflammation in the area of injection. In many cases the local inflammation is the cause of the pain and therefore reducing or eliminating the inflammation should cure your pain.

Most patients will receive intravenous sedation during the procedure and are very comfortable. There is no need for general anesthesia for these procedures.

In most cases you should be able to go home about 30-45 minutes after the procedure is done.

Most procedures will be less than 30 minutes.

It depends on the pain condition for which the steroid is injected, as well as the physical condition and well being of the patient. A series of three steroid injections could last for a year or longer.

You will have a full consultation and physical exam by our staff on a separate day before your procedure. The procedure as well as pre-procedure instructions will be given to you at that time and all your questions will be answered.

With the advancement of technology we are able to perform minimally invasive surgery at our facility to treat conditions such as Disk Herniation/Bulging and Vertebreal Compression Fracture. If we are unable to assist you with your pain condition, appropriate surgical referral will be made.

It depends on the pain condition as well as the type of procedure. The relief is rarely immediate, it may take a few days up to a few weeks until you get relief.

If interventional procedures are not effective in treating your pain condition, various medical management options will be offered to try.

All of the procedures are done as an outpatient.

1) Eating or Drinking: You should refrain from eating or drinking six hours prior to your procedure.

2) Ride: You must have someone, age 18+, drive you after your procedure.

3) Medication: If you take Aspirin or Plavix, it should be stopped one week before the procedure. If you take Coumadin, it should be stopped four days prior to your procedure. Always check with the physician prescribing your blood thinner medication that is safe for you to be off of it for that length of time. Sometimes, the risk of being off of the medication is too high to warrant doing the procedure. You may take your other medications, with a sip of water, according to your regular schedule. If you are diabetic you will be given special instructions regarding taking your medication.

4) Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing.