Home Care after Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar/Sacral Facet or Medial Branch Block



The doctor has done an injection to help diagnose the cause and site of your pain.

 

You may feel sore at the injection site for the next 2-4 days.  You may apply ice to the site for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to decrease pain and discomfort, if needed, for the first 24 hours.  After 24 hours, you may use heat if needed.

 

You will be given a pain log to complete for the next 14 days.  Complete this form and make a copy for your own records.  Then, mail it back to us in the pre-paid envelope we gave you.  We will need this information to decide the next step in your treatment plan.

 

It is important that you rate your pain frequently today.  Rate it every 15 minutes the first hour and then once per hour for the next 8 hours.

 

• Do not nap today because pain ratings may be missed.  The injection will then have to be repeated.
• Rate your pain during daily activities that normally cause you pain.  You may want to choose an activity that you struggle with and rate your pain during that time.  If you have less pain or no pain sitting or lying down do not rate your pain in this position.
• Rate only the pain that was treated today on this log.  Do not rate pain at another place on your body.
• Do not rate injection site pain.  Use an ice pack over the bandage if it is hard to tell the difference.
• Do not take pain medicine during the first 8 hours if you have had medial branch block injections.
• If you had injections on both the right and left side, rate each side separately if they feel different.
• After the first day, rate your pain once a day for a total of 2 weeks.
• It is very important that you fill out the pain log completely and keep a copy at home.  If the pain log is lost or misplaced injections may need to be repeated before we can move on.

You may resume taking your medicines after the procedure.  Our staff will tell you how to take your pain medicines.

 

You may have some weakness for the next 3-5 hours so be careful with walking or using your arms.  No baths or soaking of the site for 24 hours after the procedure.  Taking a shower is okay.

 

Call your referring doctor’s office to make a follow-up appointment to discuss your results within 2-4 weeks after the injection.  Your doctor will have the report within 7-10 days.

 

Signs of infection

• Fever greater than 100.4° F by mouth for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart
• Increased redness, swelling around the site
• Any drainage from the site

 

If you have any new symptoms or signs of infection, please call

 

Dr Sehgal – (608) 263-9550

Dr Leonard – (608) 263-8632

Dr Holz –(608) 263-8632

 

After hours, nights and weekends, call (608)-262-0486 or if you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942.  Ask for the rehabilitation doctor on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 01/09/2012

Copyright © 01/09/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5656

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