Spinal injections are used to deliver a combination of local anaesthetic and steroid into or near the spine. The medicines temporarily reduce inflammation and swelling directly to the source of pain and are usually recommended for relief of back pain or sciatica (shooting pain down one or both of your legs), or to help relieve neck pain, which also effects shoulders and arms, usually caused by pinched or inflamed nerves. The effects of a successful spinal injection can last from a few weeks to several months.
You may experience soreness in the area after the injection. Numbness or tingling in the legs, arms, back and face may also be experienced, but should only last a few hours.
Try to avoid exercise and strenuous activities for approximately 24 hours, just so your body has time to relax after. Monitoring your pain and being aware of any symptoms that may suggest something is wrong is also important. A pain chart will be given, which will aid in monitoring the pain.
If you notice persistent pain, numbness, redness or swelling at the injection site or if you have a fever longer than 24 hours, please call your doctor.
Blood thinning medication will need to be stopped before your spine injection. The receptionist will let you know which medication needs to be stopped and for how long. Please make sure you check with your GP or specialist BEFORE stopping any medications.
A consent form must be completed and signed before beginning. This includes all the information relevant to the procedure and risks, so please read carefully before signing.
If you are having an EPIDURAL or PERIRADICULAR nerve injection, you are not allowed to drive for the rest of the day and therefore you need to organise for someone to drive you home afterwards. Please be careful when standing up and walking for the remainder of the day, as your legs may give way on you resulting in a fall.
If you have any questions regarding charges or would like to know more information, please contact our friendly staff on admin@wollongongdiagnostics.com.au or corrimal@wollongongdiagnostics.com.au or call us on (02) 4249 2710.