Preparing for the Procedure

Notify your referring physician or primary care physician of any medication that may "thin your blood." You will need to stop taking the following medications for a minimum of 7 days before your scheduled treatment:

• Plavix
• Ticlid
• Coumadin
• Lovenox

If possible, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin and aspirin should be stopped several days before your scheduled treatment as well.

The day before your procedure, you will be contacted by a nurse from Edgewood Surgical Hospital who will conduct a pre-assessment and inform you of your arrival time at the hospital.

• You may eat a light breakfast or lunch on the day of your procedure.
• You may take all of your current medications unless otherwise directed by your physician.
• Wear comfortable clothing such as loose pants with an elastic waist band and an easy to button shirt or blouse.
• You must have someone drive you to and from the hospital.

The procedure is performed on an out-patient basis in a special procedure room in the hospital. A repeat injection may be planned after consultation with the pain management physician.