Patient Instructions - Nerve Root/Foraminal Injection

A nerve root injection is an injection of a long lasting steroid around a selected nerve root. The injection is used to reduce the inflammation or swelling around the nerve. This can reduce pain, tingling, numbness or other symptoms you may be experiencing.

Before your procedure

• Certain medications may increase your risk of bleeding and may need to be held prior to your procedure.

• You may resume these medications the day after your procedure unless otherwise instructed.

• You may take your pain medication as needed on the procedure day.

During your procedure

• You will lie on your stomach on the X-ray table.

• Your skin is cleaned and a numbing medication will be given where the needle will be placed, using X-ray guidance to ensure proper placement.

• Two different medications are injected into the site; a short acting anesthetic agent is injected for temporary pain relief lasting about 4-5 hours and the steroid is injected for longer pain relief, and begins working in 3-5 days.

After your procedure

• You may resume your normal activities as tolerated.

• Avoid standing up quickly as the medication used can cause dizziness.

• Notify your doctor of any signs of infection such as fever, redness, swelling or drainage from the injection site.

• Also notify your doctor of a persistent headache, a rigid or painful neck or sustained dizziness.

• Your doctor will be contacted with the results of your test and will discuss the results with you.

Providing safe, quality patient care is our highest priority. To help ensure quality and safety, we ask that you do not bring young children with you to your appointments, as children are not allowed to accompany you during Imaging procedures. Staff is unable to monitor your child in your absence.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your provider.