Your doctor has requested that we perform an image guided Local Anaesthetic and Steroid Injection to the region of interest for you.
An image guided injection involves the radiologist injecting a mixture of local anaesthetic and steroid into the region of interest. If the procedure is done using CT scanner guidance, this may also involve the use of iodinated contrast to check the correct position has been obtained. The injection is performed for two reasons:
1. To relieve your pain
2. To determine if this particular area being injected is the cause for your pain.
Initially, you should experience some relief of your symptoms due to the local anaesthetic. However, the effect of the local anaesthetic will wear off in approximately 4-8 hours time. You may experience some return of your symptoms or a slight increase in pain after this, but the steroid should begin to work 2 – 7 days post injection. Allergic reactions to the local anaesthetic, steroid and/or contrast are extremely rare. Each person’s response to this injection can be variable.
As with any procedure involving needles, there is a small risk of infection. This risk is reduced by using a sterile aseptic technique, which involves thoroughly cleaning the skin with antiseptic and the use of new sterile needles. It is very important you consult your GP as soon as possible, or contact us, if you experience any of the following post procedure:
• You experience pain for more than 48 hours after the injection;
• Pain develops more than 2 days after the injection;
• The area becomes red, hot or swollen; or
• You develop a fever following the injection
The above symptoms may be signs of an infection and need to be treated as soon as possible.
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