PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
Before the Procedure:
NOTHING BY MOUTH BEFORE PROCEDURE (Includes coffee, juice, gum, mints, etc.)
Morning Surgery – Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your
procedure. Brush teeth without swallowing water.
Afternoon Surgery – You may eat a light meal eight (8) hours and clear liquids
six (6) hours prior to your procedure. Nothing by mouth at least six (6) hours
prior to your procedure.
Alcohol - NO Alcohol for 24 hours prior to procedure.
Medications:
Coumadin – Coumadin must be stopped prior to your procedure. You MUST consult
with your prescribing physician for appropriate directions BEFORE stopping this medication.
Aspirin – Stop aspirin for seven (7) days prior to your scheduled procedure. If
you are taking aspirin for your heart, speak with your cardiologist BEFORE stopping
this medication.
Diuretics (water pill) – Take AFTER your procedure.
Insulin – Take 1/2 of your prescribed insulin dosages the morning of your procedure.
For afternoon procedures, drink 4-6 ounces of juice with morning insulin. Please
bring insulin with you on the day of your procedure.
Other Prescribed Medications – Take your prescribed morning medications with a sip of
water the day of procedure.
Ride: A Responsible Adult Companion MUST drive you home and aid in your care after
your procedure.
DAY OF PROCEDURE:
PRE-OP – Check in one (1) hour before your procedure time. Late arrival may
necessitate cancellation.
ID and Insurance – Bring a picture I.D. and all applicable insurance cards
(including co insurance). Please check with your insurance company for deductible/ co payment
amounts.
DRESS – Wear loose comfortable clothing. Do not wear eye contacts, please wear
your glasses instead.
BELONGINGS – Do not bring anything of value.
STERILITY OF PROCEDURE AREA – You should shower or bathe the evening before or
the morning of your procedure.
Discogram
What is it?
A discogram is a diagnostic injection performed into the disc
(structure between the vertebrae) to view the internal structure
of a disc and to determine the source of pain.
How is it done?
A local anesthetic is injected into the skin. A special needle(s) is
inserted into the disc under fluoroscopy ( a specialized x-ray). A
saline solution and radio-opaque dye are then injected into the disc
or discs being examined. A CT Scan may be ordered to confirm the disc
images.
Expected Results
Confirmation of the source of the pain.
How long will it take?
Thirty to sixty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone
to drive you home and care for you for the first 12 hours after
your procedure. Written instructions will be sent home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork
as needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse
will ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is
imperative that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your
history and/or physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems
that might affect your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to
betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the
PreOp room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate,
temperature and oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started
(if ordered by your physician). Your belongings will be put away in a
cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be
prepped and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may
be given medication before and/or during your procedure to help you relax.
You may doze off during this time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off
the prepping solution and apply the dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored
anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be
offered beverages and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out
and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge
instructions for your care at home.
Epidural Steroidal Injection
What is it?
A nerve block that is done with the use of fluoroscopy ( a specialized x-ray) to decrease
pain and inflammation and to confirm a specific diagnosis.
How is it done?
Local anesthetic is given, a special needle needle is inserted into the epidural space of
the cervical, thoracic, lumbar or caudal spine. Fluoroscopy is used to confirm proper
placement of the needle. An anesthetic and steroid are then injected into the site.
Expected Results
Relief of pain. You may be sore for a day or so. Steroids most often begin in about 2-3 days.
How long will it take?
Fifteen to thirty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to drive you home and
care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure. Written instructions will be sent
home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before your procedure is
scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you because you will be receiving medicaitons
and this could impair your ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours
prior to your procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medicaitons with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes, take 1/2 of your
normal dosage and bring your inslulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork as needed. You will
then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse will ask you some questions and have you
sign your consent forms. It is imperative that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes
in your history and/or physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems that might affect
your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the PreOp room or to a stretcher
where your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will
be started (if ordered by your physician). Your belongings will be put away in a cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be prepped and positioned.
The physician will perfom the procedure. You may be given medicaiton before and/or during your
procedure to help you relax. You may doze off during this time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse
off the prepping solution and apply the dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored anywhere from 20 min.
to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be offered beverages and some crackers. After this,
someone will take your IV out and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge
instructions for your care at home.
Facet Joint Injections
What is it?
A nerve block that is done with the use of fluoroscopy ( a specialized x-ray)
to decrease pain and inflammation and to confirm a specific diagnosis.
How is it done?
Local anesthetic is given, a special needle needle is inserted into the
epidural space of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar or caudal spine.
Fluoroscopy is used to confirm proper placement of the needle. An
anesthetic and steroid are then injected into the site.
Expected Results
Relief of pain. You may be sore for a day or so. Steroids most often
take 2-3 days to become effective.
How long will it take?
Fifteen to thirty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to
drive you home and care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure.
Written instructions will be sent home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork
as needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse
will ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is
imperative that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your
history and/or physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems
that might affect your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to
betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the
PreOp room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate,
temperature and oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started
(if ordered by your physician). Your belongings will be put away in a
cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be
prepped and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may
be given medication before and/or during your procedure to help you relax.
You may doze off during this time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off
the prepping solution and apply the dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored
anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be
offered beverages and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out
and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge
instructions for your care at home.
RACZ
What is it?
RACZ procedure is used to dissolve some of the scar tissue from
around entrapped nerves in the epidural space so that medications
can reach the affected areas.
How is it done?
To numb and break down the adhesions, a local anesthetic is given.
A special needle and catheter are inserted into the affected area.
A specialized x-ray (fluoroscopy) is used to confirm placement.
Medication is then used.
Expected Results
Immediately after the injection you may feel your legs slightly
heavy and may be numb. Local anesthetic wears off in a few hours.
The steroid generally starts working in about 5-7 days.
How long will it take?
Twenty to forty minutes plus recovery
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to
drive you home and care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure.
Written instructions will be sent home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork
as needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse
will ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is
imperative that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your
history and/or physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems
that might affect your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to
betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the
PreOp room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate,
temperature and oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started
(if ordered by your physician). Your belongings will be put away in a
cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be
prepped and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may
be given medication before and/or during your procedure to help you relax.
You may doze off during this time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off
the prepping solution and apply the dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored
anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be
offered beverages and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out
and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge
instructions for your care at home.
Radio Frequency
What is it?
Radiofrequency lesioning is a procedure using a specialized machine to interrupt nerve conduction
in a semi permanent basis. The procedure disrupts nerve conduction and may reduce pain.
How is it done?
A local anesthetic is given. Special needles are then inserted into the affected areas. The
physician will use fluoroscopy (a specialized x-ray) to guide the needles. Electrical stimulation
is done before any lesioning. This may produce a buzzing or tingling sensation. You may also
feel your muscles jump. You will be somewhat awake during this time in order to pinpoint the
areas to be lesioned. Electrical current is then used to disrupt the affected nerves.
Expected Results
Initially there will be soreness for about a week or so. Ice packs can be used to relieve some
discomfort. You should see a decrease or relief of pain.
How long will it take?
Forty-five minutes to a couple of hours.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to drive you home and
care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure. Written instructions will be sent
home with you. You should take it easy for a day or so.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork as
needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse will
ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is imperative
that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your history and/or
physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems that might affect
your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the PreOp
room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and
oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started (if ordered by your physician).
Your belongings will be put away in a cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be prepped
and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may be given medication
before and/or during your procedure to help you relax. You may doze off during this
time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off the prepping solution and apply the
dressings/bandages as needed.
Sacro-Iliac Joint Injection
What is it?
It is an injection of steroids into the affected area with the guidance of a fluoroscopy
(a specialized x-ray) to confirm placement.
How is it done?
A local anesthetic is given. A special needle is then inserted into the affected joint
where the nerve reaches it. The physician will use fluoroscopy to help guide the needle.
An anesthetic and steroid will then be injected into the area.
Expected Results
Decrease or relief of pain.
How long will it take?
Fifteen to twenty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to drive you home
and care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure. Written instructions will be
sent home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork as
needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse will
ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is imperative
that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your history and/or
physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems that might affect
your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the PreOp
room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and
oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started (if ordered by your physician).
Your belongings will be put away in a cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be prepped
and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may be given medication
before and/or during your procedure to help you relax. You may doze off during this
time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off the prepping solution and apply the
dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored anywhere
from 20 minutes to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be offered beverages
and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out and help you get dressed.
Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge instructions for your care at home.
Selective Nerve Block
What is it?
A block that is performed to determine if a specific nerve root is the source of the pain
and to relieve the inflammation around that nerve root thus relieving the pain.
How is it done?
A local anesthetic is given. The physician will use a fluoroscopy ( a specialized x-ray)
to locate the area. Dye confirms proper placement. Medications is then injected into the area.
Expected Results
Relief of back and leg pain.
How long will it take?
Fifteen to twenty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to drive you
home and care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure. Written instructions
will be sent home with you. You should take it easy for a day or so.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before
your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you
because you will be receiving medications and this could impair your
ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your
procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart
medications with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes,
take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your insulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork as
needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse will
ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is imperative
that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your history and/or
physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems that might affect
your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the PreOp
room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and
oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started (if ordered by your physician).
Your belongings will be put away in a cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be prepped
and positioned. The physician will perform the procedure. You may be given medication
before and/or during your procedure to help you relax. You may doze off during this
time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off the prepping solution and apply the
dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored
anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be
offered beverages and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out
and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge instructions
for your care at home.
Sympathetic Nerve Block
What is it?
A block that is performed to alleviate pain that is called neuropathic pain.
How is it done?
Local anesthetic is given, a special needle(s) is inserted in the lumbar or thoracic areas of back. Fluoroscopy (a specialized x-ray) is used to confirm proper placement of the needle. An anesthetic is then injected into the affected area.
Expected Results
The patient may notice redness of upper or lower extremities and a feeling of warmth.
How long will it take?
Twenty to forty minutes plus recovery time.
After the procedure
Most often you can go home in about 30-60 min. You will need someone to drive you home and care for you for the first 12 hours after your procedure. Written instructions will be sent home with you.
What to expect the day of your procedure.
You are expected to arrive at the surgery center at least one hour before your procedure is scheduled. Bring a responsible adult driver with you because you will be receiving medicaitons and this could impair your ability to drive. Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your procedure. Please take your regularly scheduled blood pressure and heart medicaitons with a sip of water as you normally would. If you have diabetes, take 1/2 of your normal dosage and bring your inslulin with you.
After you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and complete any paperwork as needed. You will then be taken to the PreOp area. At this time, a nurse will ask you some questions and have you sign your consent forms. It is imperative that you, the patient, inform the nurse of any changes in your history and/or physical, such as a recent flu or have any health problems that might affect your procedure. Inform the staff if you are allergic to betadine.
You will then be asked to change and then you will be assisted to the PreOp room or to a stretcher where your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen saturation will be done. An IV will be started (if ordered by your physician). Your belongings will be put away in a cabinet.
The anesthetist will talk to you before your procedure. You will then be prepped and positioned. The physician will perfom the procedure. You may be given medicaiton before and/or during your procedure to help you relax. You may doze off during this time. Afterwards, the nurse will cleanse off the prepping solution and apply the dressings/bandages as needed.
You will be transported to the recovery room area where you will be monitored anywhere from 20 min. to an hour. When your are awake enough, you will be offered beverages and some crackers. After this, someone will take your IV out and help you get dressed. Lastly, your caretaker will be given discharge instructions for your care at home.
