Steps to take following your procedure
Following the completion of your procedure, you will be taken to the theatre recovery area, where you will remain for approximately 2 hours (although this can vary). Once you are able to walk, pass urine and after having something to eat and drink, you will be discharged. If you are being admitted to the hospital you will be transferred to the ward.
You will not be able to drive after your procedure, so please make alternative arrangements for a support person to transport you.
You may feel the effects of sedation for up to 24 hours after the procedure. Therefore for the first 24 hours following the procedure do not drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery, make any important decisions or sign any legally binding documents. We also recommend being in the company of a support person overnight.
Gentle activity and rest is recommended for the first 48 hours after your procedure. You can then gradually increase your daily activities as tolerated. You may remove the dressing 24 hours after the procedure. If your procedure involved an epidural injection we recommend removing the dressing 48 hours after.
If you were required to stop any blood thinning (anticoagulant) medication prior to your procedure we recommend recommencing this at the usual dose 24 hours after the procedure. If your doctor has provided alternative instructions, please follow these. If uncertain, please contact Anodyne.
When will the procedure start working?
Please be aware that the outcome of the procedure may not be seen immediately.
It may take a minimum of 48-72 hours before you start noticing a reduction in pain. During this time you may have increased discomfort and/or pain at the injection site(s). If you have had a rhizotomy procedure this period of pain/discomfort may persist for 5-7 days (in some patients, it can be several weeks). It may assist to apply cold packs to the procedure site for 15 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
Follow up procedure appointment
One of our clinicians will review you, usually within two weeks of your procedure, to see how you have gone. Depending on the procedure this may be earlier with a nurse 48-72 hours after the procedure to check on your progress.
Follow up appointments are an important part of your pain management journey. It is to ensure the procedure has been effective, there have been no complications and is an opportunity for you to have any questions answered. We will also use this time to discuss the next steps in your pain management.
We will normally arrange your follow up appointment at the time of your procedure booking. If an appointment has not already been arranged, we will contact you to arrange a review.
Questionnaires
As part of assessing the effectiveness of your procedure we will require you to complete questionnaires. Typically these questionnaires are completed at two time points: before and after your procedure.
Questionnaires used can vary according to the condition treated. In general these are:
- Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
- Quality of Life and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q)
- PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-V): only for patients who have had an SGB for PTSD
If you have not received it, please contact us before your appointment to receive a copy for completion. Completed questionnaires should be emailed to [email protected]
When to seek medical attention
If after the procedure you have any concerns, please contact Anodyne on 6166 3788.
If you have any of the following concerns please notify us immediately and if outside of working hours, please present to your local Emergency Department.
- New shortness of breath 24-48 hours after the procedure
- Excessive bleeding, worsening redness, swelling or pus in the area of the injection
- Fever, limb weakness, or urinary difficulties