Although nearly 70 percent of patients respond favorably to epidural spinal injections, every person's experience varies based on the unique conditions of each patient. For some patients, pain relief is immediate while others may take up to two weeks following an injection to notice a reduction in pain. If necessary, spinal injections may be repeated in a series of three.

Please arrive for your appointment at VOA Ambulatory Surgery Center 20 minutes early. First time patients should arrive 45 minutes early to fill out new patient forms.  Be sure to bring any x-rays or scans with you. Also make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

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Injection Procedure
You will be asked to lay face down on the procedure table. To help ensure your comfort a local anesthetic, typically Lidocaine is applied to your back. This may cause a slight stinging sensation. The spinal needle is then placed at the site of pain on your lower back. The physician will use fluoroscopy to guide the needle into the epidural space in the spine.

During the procedure, a nurse will monitor your pulse and blood pressure. After the injection, you will be taken to a recovery area and observed for 15 to 30 minutes.

After the Injection
If you experience discomfort after arriving home the day of your procedure, you may apply ice to the injection area for 10 to 15 minutes an hour for three to four hours. A mild increase in pain for one or several days and a flushing sensation are not uncommon. If you develop severe pain, redness, warmth or swelling around the injection site, shaking, chills, a fever greater than 100 degrees or a moderate to severe headache that is not controlled by Tylenol, contact the VOA Ambulatory Surgery Center immediately at 425-226-2041 (after 5 p.m. and weekends call 425-251-1311).

Your activity the day of the injection should be limited. Physical therapy and other exercises should be postponed for three days following an injection. The day after the injection, you can return to your usual daily activities including work.

If needed, you may take anti-inflammatory pain medications, such as Advil or aspirin, following the injection. Contact your physician for any additional medications.