The main aim of interventional pain treatments is to accurately locate the cause of the ongoing pain, confirm the diagnosis, and test the reversibility of the symptoms. It is, therefore, customary to carry out a diagnostic injection with local anaesthetic with or without steroids to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis and assess how much of the pain is inflammatory by the beneficial effects of the Steroid. We will use this information to plan further longer-lasting radio-frequency treatments as required.
These are usually carried out under some form of image guidance, either ultrasound or x-ray guided and occasionally under CT. The purpose of these injections is to confirm the cause and assess the reversibility of the pain. These injections are local anaesthetic often combined with an anti-inflammatory steroid. We use the results of these injections to determine the next steps in treatment. All can be done as an outpatient or day case with sedation if required.
After your treatment
We suggest that someone drive you home after these procedures, with or without sedation. The local anaesthetic should start working within 30 minutes and last for several hours. The Steroid can take several days to start working and occasionally up to 2 weeks.
As far as activity is concerned, you should carry on with your usual level of activity in the first few weeks after the treatment, and you will be reviewed in the clinic in four to six weeks.
