Genicular Nerve Block

Your pain physician is trying to make a determination whether the pain in your back is coming from the facet joints. This test block is done with local anesthetics under X-ray guidance. Small doses of a local anesthetic is placed on a nerve branch. The facet joint immediately following the procedure will be numb. You will keep track of your pain on a pain diary. See instructions below.
Medications to Hold
Contact

Pre-Op

  • Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to procedure

  • Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled procedure time

  • You MUST have a driver. Your driver can stay in our waiting room when you go back into pre-op

  • Masks are required in our facility. If you don’t have one, we will give you one when you arrive
  • Wear loose clothing preferably without any metal buttons or zippers because of the X-ray machine.
  • We ask that you shower the night before or the morning of to ensure cleanliness of the area

  • HOLD NSAIDs- See button for medications to hold on your right

  • If you begin to show any signs or symptoms- cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or have been exposed to anyone showing symptoms or diagnosed with Covid-19, YOU MUST cancel this procedure.

Post-Op

  • At the bottom of this page there is a pain diary. Chart every hour, for the next 6 hours, your pain rating and activity you are doing at that time.

  • Resume your normal activities, however NO HEAVY LIFTING OR DRIVING.

  • Please do not take anything for pain for the next 5-6 hours as we need to know that it is the injection that has helped you with your pain, not your pain medications.
  • The day of your procedure:

  • DO NOT take a bath, swim, or sit in a hot tub. Showers are okay.

  • DO NOT drive, operate heavy machinery, or use power tools.

  • DO NOT make important or legal decisions, as your judgment may be impaired.

  • Notify our office immediately if you experience any:

  • Persistent abnormal bleeding

  • Fever or chills

  • Persistent Nausea or vomiting

  • Redness, swelling or any other signs of infection

Select Nerve Root Block

Your physician will be performing this procedure to diagnose whether a particular nerve root is the source of pain or not. Procedure is performed under X-ray guidance with placement of a small dose of local anesthetic. You will keep a pain diary post procedure.
Medications to Hold
Contact

Pre-Op

  • Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to procedure

  • Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled procedure time

  • You MUST have a driver. Your driver can stay in our waiting room when you go back into pre-op

  • Masks are required in our facility. If you don’t have one, we will give you one when you arrive
  • Wear loose clothing preferably without any metal buttons or zippers because of the X-ray machine.
  • We ask that you shower the night before or the morning of to ensure cleanliness of the area

  • HOLD NSAIDs- See button for medications to hold on your right

  • If you begin to show any signs or symptoms- cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or have been exposed to anyone showing symptoms or diagnosed with Covid-19, YOU MUST cancel this procedure.

Post-Op

  • At the bottom of this page there is a pain diary. Chart every hour, for the next 6 hours, your pain rating and activity you are doing at that time.

  • Resume your normal activities, however NO HEAVY LIFTING OR DRIVING.

  • Please do not take anything for pain for the next 5-6 hours as we need to know that it is the injection that has helped you with your pain, not your pain medications.
  • The day of your procedure:

  • DO NOT take a bath, swim, or sit in a hot tub. Showers are okay.

  • DO NOT drive, operate heavy machinery, or use power tools.

  • DO NOT make important or legal decisions, as your judgment may be impaired.

  • Notify our office immediately if you experience any:

  • Persistent abnormal bleeding

  • Fever or chills

  • Persistent Nausea or vomiting

  • Redness, swelling or any other signs of infection

Stellate Ganglion Block

Your physician will perform this specialized block in the neck to block the sympathetic nerves. Procedure will be done under X-ray guidance. Following the procedure you should see relief of pain in your upper extremity. /em>
Medications to Hold
Contact

Pre-Op

  • Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to procedure

  • Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled procedure time

  • You MUST have a driver. Your driver can stay in our waiting room when you go back into pre-op

  • Masks are required in our facility. If you don’t have one, we will give you one when you arrive
  • Wear loose clothing preferably without any metal buttons or zippers because of the X-ray machine.
  • We ask that you shower the night before or the morning of to ensure cleanliness of the area

  • HOLD NSAIDs- See button for medications to hold on your right

  • If you begin to show any signs or symptoms- cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or have been exposed to anyone showing symptoms or diagnosed with Covid-19, YOU MUST cancel this procedure.

Post-Op

  • Do NOT drive or operate machinery for 24 hours
  • Continue to hold anti-inflammatories until tomorrow
  • You may experience a sore throat, hoarse voice, and/or droopy eyelid on the side of injection
  • You may start with small sips of fluid once you can swallow without any problems, advance slowly to a regular diet
  • Apply ice to the area- On for 15 minutes, off for 2 hours. (repeat every 2-3 hours as needed for pain)
  • You may experience drowsiness, nausea, muscle soreness, muscle spasm, and/or increasing pain
  • Resume normal activities
  • Drooping eyelid
  • Congestion of eye and nasal passage
  • Hoarseness of voice
  • Increased temperature in the hand
  • Notify our office immediately if you experience any:

  • Persistent abnormal bleeding

  • Fever or chills

  • Persistent Nausea or vomiting

  • Redness, swelling or any other signs of infection

Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block

Your physician will perform this specialized block in the lower back to block the sympathetic nerves. Procedure will be done under X-ray guidance. Following the procedure you should see relief of pain in your lower extremity.
Medications to Hold
Contact

Pre-Op

  • Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to procedure

  • Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled procedure time

  • You MUST have a driver. Your driver can stay in our waiting room when you go back into pre-op

  • Masks are required in our facility. If you don’t have one, we will give you one when you arrive
  • Wear loose clothing preferably without any metal buttons or zippers because of the X-ray machine.
  • We ask that you shower the night before or the morning of to ensure cleanliness of the area

  • HOLD NSAIDs- See button for medications to hold on your right

  • If you begin to show any signs or symptoms- cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or have been exposed to anyone showing symptoms or diagnosed with Covid-19, YOU MUST cancel this procedure.

Post-Op

  • Do NOT drive or operate machinery for 24 hours
  • Continue to hold anti-inflammatories until tomorrow
  • Apply ice to the area- On for 15 minutes, off for 2 hours. (repeat every 2-3 hours as needed for pain)
  • You may experience drowsiness, nausea, muscle soreness, muscle spasm, and/or increasing pain

  • You may experience warmth in your leg.

  • Resume normal activities
  • Notify our office immediately if you experience any:

  • Persistent abnormal bleeding

  • Fever or chills

  • Persistent Nausea or vomiting

  • Redness, swelling or any other signs of infection

By signing, you agree that you understand, have received a copy, and agree to adhere to these post-op instructions.

File Link?

Please bring this with you to your next doctor’s appointment.