Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
We have been advised by your hospital consultant that you need to have a musculoskeletal injection performed in the Radiology (X-ray) Department under ultrasound control. This information tells you about the procedure, what is involved, and what the possible risks are.
Before your appointment
Please let us know if:
- you are taking any medication which impair the bloods ability to clot (anticoagulation or blood thinning drugs) e.g. Warfarin or clopidigrel, or, if you are aware that you may have bleeding problems.
- you are on medication that suppresses your immune system eg methotrexate or beta interferon, or steroids.
- you have an infection or any other medical condition which may mean we need to reschedule this appointment
Please be aware that you should not receive a steroid injection within 2 weeks of a
vaccination (including COVID-19) as this can reduce the protective effect of the vaccine.
Special Needs
Please let us know if:
- you have limited mobility and will require assistance to get on and off a couch.
- you will need an interpreter. We are not able to use family members or friends to interpret.
In order to make your appointment run more smoothly, please let us know if any of these apply, in advance, by calling our bookings team (contact details are displayed on the main Radiology page).
On Arrival
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time.
On arrival in the department you should check in at the reception desk. Bring this letter with you and be prepared to confirm your details with the receptionist. Please allow time to do this prior to your appointment time and bear in mind that the reception may be busy. Once you have been booked in you will be directed to the waiting area. Please be aware that patients are attending for different examinations and patients who arrive after you may be called before you.
What to wear
Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area of the body to be injected. We may ask you to change into a hospital gown, if needed.
Giving my consent (permission)
We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. The
sonographer/radiologist will ask you if you are happy for the procedure to go ahead - this is called verbal consent. If you do not wish to have the scan or are undecided, please tell the sonographer/radiologist. It is your decision and you can change your mind at any time.
If the radiologist feels that your condition has changed or that your symptoms do not indicate such a procedure is necessary then they will explain this to you and they will communicate with the referring doctor who will review your situation as soon as possible.
The Procedure
After positioning on an examination couch, the area being examined will be exposed you will have water based clear gel applied to the skin in the area of examination. The sonographer/radiologist will slowly move the probe over the area while viewing the images produced on the monitor. Where appropriate your skin will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
When the local anaesthetic is injected, it will sting to start with, but this soon wears off, and the skin and deeper tissues should then feel numb. The ultrasound will be used to guide a needle to the correct position and a steroid will be injected
After the Examination
You will be free to resume your daily activities. Steroid injections can take a few days to have a noticeable effect. The steroid lasts for up to six weeks but the effects of the injection can sometimes last much longer.
Motor insurance companies will have different views on whether you should drive after this injection, particularly if involving the foot or ankle. You may wish to check with your insurance company, or make alternative arrangements for your journey.
Risks
- Discomfort: You may experience some discomfort immediately after the procedure. This is usually mild and can be helped with over-the-counter painkillers if required. Occasionally steroid injections can temporarily worsen your symptoms (steroid flare).
- Bleeding: Any injection carries a small risk of bleeding particularly if you are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. On very rare occasions, this may become severe.
There may be some bruising around the injection site but this is unlikely to cause you a problem. - Infection: If you experience redness, swelling or tenderness around the injection site, please see your GP or a walk-in clinic within 24 hours as this may require treatment.
- Glucose control: If you are diabetic and require insulin, you may experience low or high blood glucose levels after a steroid injection. Please monitor this closely after the procedure until it returns to your normal pattern.
- Facial flushing: This is not common. If this does happen, it is temporary and typically goes away within a couple of days.
- Skin depigmentation: Occasionally steroid injections can cause the skin around where the needle has been inserted to become slightly paler in colour
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Radiology service.
About this information
Service:
Radiology
Reference:
PILS-US.12
Approval date:
22 October 2024
Review date:
22 October 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.