The procedure

At the beginning of the injection procedure, a nurse and a highly trained technologist ensure your comfort, explain the process, and address any questions or concerns you may have. Before the injection, your skin is numbed with a local anesthetic.

The interventional radiologist uses fluoroscopy to guide the needle to its exact position. A contrast agent further enhances the visibility of the targeted area. Once the needle’s placement is confirmed, the steroid solution is injected, completing the process. Most pain injections are completed within 15 to 30 minutes and provide immediate relief.

Recovery and monitoring

Following the procedure, you will spend some time in the recovery area for monitoring. Plan to spend approximately one hour on your clinic visit. It’s common to experience numbness for up to 12 hours after the injection. While the steroidal medication’s effects usually are noticeable within 48-72 hours, it may take up to one week. In some cases, multiple injections may be necessary to achieve full pain relief. If no change in symptoms occurs after injections, further investigation into alternative sources of pain may be considered.