In brief
- Please be aware of which facility your procedure is scheduled at, and arrive early for registration and preparation.
- If you are receiving sedation, nothing to eat or drink for six hours beforehand, and a responsible adult must drive you home.
- Spine procedures require a 24-hour NSAID hold; blood thinners have longer holds, listed below. Medial branch blocks, SI joint injections, and ultrasound-guided joint or bursa injections typically do not need a hold.
- Expect mild tenderness for 2 to 3 days. Injections reach full relief over 3 to 7 days; radiofrequency ablation results settle over 2 to 4 weeks.
Before your procedure
For your safety, certain medications must be held before your procedure to minimize the risk of bleeding, following American Society of Regional Anesthesia guidelines. This procedure requires the 24-hour NSAID hold.
| Medication type | Examples | Required hold |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, naproxen, meloxicam | 24 hours |
| Salicylates | Aspirin, all doses | 24 hours |
| Antiplatelets | Plavix (clopidogrel), Brilinta | 7 days |
| Antiplatelets | Effient (prasugrel) | 10 days |
| Anticoagulants | Eliquis, Xarelto, Savaysa, Pradaxa | 5 days |
| Vitamin K antagonist | Coumadin, warfarin | 5 days (INR below 1.5) |
Restarting
Most medications can be restarted 24 hours after the procedure. NSAIDs and aspirin may be resumed immediately.
Fasting, sedation, and your ride home
- If you are receiving sedation, nothing to eat or drink for six hours before your appointment. Essential morning medications may be taken with a small sip of water only.
- We offer light or deep sedation. The level is decided by the physician and anesthesia team based on the procedure and clinical need.
- Any patient receiving sedation must be accompanied by a responsible adult driver to take them home.
Where to go
Procedures are performed at one of three facilities: our clinic at 1925 Hospital Place, ACOM at 6449 Central Park Blvd, or Hendrick South at 6399 Directors Pkwy, Suite 100. Your appointment paperwork tells you which one. Please arrive early for registration and pre-procedure preparation.
Afterward: what to expect
- Activity. Most patients return to regular, light activity the next day.
- Site care. Keep the injection site clean; remove bandages after 24 hours.
- Soreness. Expect mild localized tenderness for 2 to 3 days following the procedure.
- Timeline for relief. Injections: full relief typically develops over 3 to 7 days. Radiofrequency ablation: results usually stabilize over 2 to 4 weeks.
- Pain diary. If you had a diagnostic block, tracking your pain levels for the first 24 hours is essential for your next clinical step.
- Restarting medications. Most medications can be restarted 24 hours after the procedure. NSAIDs and aspirin may be resumed immediately.
Call us right away if you notice
- New numbness or weakness in the legs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Severe, worsening back pain
- Fever or signs of infection
This guide is the same information as the printed handout from Abilene Pain. It is general information and does not replace the instructions your care team gives you at your visit. Your care team: Nicolas Pugh, MD · Adrianne Anders, NP · Ted Chaka, PA.