You have just completed a Radiofrequency Neurotomy. The following instructions will provide you with information and guidelines for self-care upon discharge. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please call your physician.
General Instructions:
Be alert for
signs of possible infection: redness, swelling, heat, red streaks, elevated
temperature, fever. Please notify your doctor immediately if you have unusual bleeding,
trouble breathing, or loss of the ability to control your bowel or bladder.
Most procedures involve the use of local anesthetics (numbing medicine), steroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) and possibly sedation (relaxation or nerve medicine). Sedation may affect your memory, not allowing you to remember the procedure, or the instructions that we give you after it. Because of this, your Doctor may want to avoid providing you with important information after the procedure, since you may not remember. The Doctor will be more than happy to go over the information upon your return.
Local
anesthetics, on the other hand, may cause temporary numbness and weakness of the legs or arms, depending on the
location of the block. This numbness/weakness may last 4-6 hours (the duration
of the local anesthetic). During this period of numbness, you must be more
careful than usual, to prevent any injuries to the extremity.
Steroids
will begin to work immediately after injected, but on the average, it will take
6-10 days for the swelling to come down to the point where you will be able to
tell a difference in terms of the pain.
In summery,
you should expect for your pain to get better within 15-20 minutes after the
procedure. This relief or numbness should last 4-6 hours, after which, it will
wear off. Once it wears off, you may experience more pain than usual for 4-6
days, or until the steroids ìkick inî. This discomfort is due to the procedure
itself. To minimize this, we recommend applying ice (fill a plastic sandwich
bag with ice and wrap it on a towel to prevent frostbite) to the area, 15
minutes on and 15 minutes off, the day of the procedure. This will minimize any
swelling. Starting the next day, you should then start with heat (moist or dry,
it does not matter). Heat therapy should continue until the pain improves (4-6
days). Be careful not to burn yourself.
In the case
of Radiofrequency procedures, you should expect more pain than usual for 5
to 6 weeks after the procedure. This is how long it takes the burned tissue
to heal. We cannot assess any definite results on the success of the procedure
until this recovery period has elapsed.
You will
want to be careful in moving about. Muscle spasms in the area of the injection
may occur. Use ice or heat to the area is often helpful. Occasionally, a spinal
headache can develop. This is different from a normal headache in the sense
that it will not go away on its own, despite normal measures. If you develop a
headache that does not seem to respond to conservative therapy, please let your
physician know. This can be treated with an epidural blood patch.
You may
experience some numbness or redness, however it should be short lived. If
persistent numbness occurs, contact your physician. (Persistent numbness would
be defined as lasting more than 4-6 hours.)
Use care in
moving the affected arm or leg to avoid further injury. You may be given a
sling or crutches to use temporarily. Some discoloration may be present in your
arm or leg for 24-48 hours.
If you
experience shortness of breath or if your lips or fingers develop a dusky or
ìblueî appearance, contact your physician or go to the Emergency Room.
No eating limitations, unless stipulated above. (Stellate Ganglion) Nevertheless, if you have had sedation, you may experience some nausea. In this case, it may be wise to wait at least two hours prior to resuming regular diet.
You may
experience a temporary increase in your pain. You will also experience
tenderness at the site of injection, which may be accompanied with muscle
spasms. Use of cold and heat is usually helpful. Take your prescription as
directed. Always exercise caution when taking pain pills.
Activity
For the first 24 hours after the procedure, do not drive a motor vehicle, operate heavy machinery or power tools, or handle any weapons. Consider walking with the use of an assistive device or accompanied by an adult for the next 24 hours. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, including beer. Do not make any important decisions or sign any legal documents. Go home and rest today. Resume activities tomorrow, as tolerated. Use caution in moving about as you may experience mild leg weakness. Use caution in cooking, use of household electrical appliances, and climbing steps.
May resume pre-procedure medications. Do not take any drugs, other than what has been prescribed for you.
Other:
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If you need
to reach your Doctor call:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am
ñ4:00 PMÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..Ö (336)-538-7180
After clinic hours, have operator reach the Doctor ÖÖÖÖÖ (336)-538-7000
In case of
an emergency:
In case of emergency, go to the nearest emergency room and have the physician there call the above numbers.
** Note: It is your responsibility to let us know if you are running low on your medications. Make sure that you have enough medication to last until your next appointment. There will be no medication refills called in over the phone.