Introduction

Today you have received an injection to help decrease your pain. You have been given a mixture of a local anesthetic (numbing medication) and a steroid/cortisone (anti-inflammatory) medication. This combination should help to decrease her pain now and should provide long-term benefits. We do not perform procedures to “numb” pain but instead try to fix the pain.

More About Medications Used

Lidocaine, Bupivacaine, and Carbocaine are all local anesthetics (numbing medications). Depending on your injury you may have been given one or a combination of these local anesthetics. A significant decrease in pain and numbing effect typically takes about 10 minutes and should provide a decrease in pain in the area that was causing her pain. Some people do not respond to numbing medications so do not be alarmed if you do not feel significantly better immediately.

Steroid/Cortisone Medication

Steroid/cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can help decrease pain in an attempt to provide pain relief. Our clinic uses steroid medications including Celestone, Kenalog, or Depo-Medrol. When injected into a joint, you should notice significant relief in pain but this may take 2 weeks to take full effect. We do not recommend injecting a joint, such as the hip or knee, more than 3-4 times per year. If steroid or cortisone is injected until muscle, this procedure can be done every 2 to 3 months to provide pain more permanent pain relief. Steroid or cortisone injected into the fascia or muscle is typically part of a procedure called a Hydrodissection or Hydrorelease. This is in an effort to heal the muscle and fascia and break up adhesions or scar tissue.

 

Post-Injection Tips

  • Keep the injection site clean dry and covered with a Band-Aid for 12 to 24 hours after your injection. You may shower at any time.
  • If you experience shortness around your injection, you may take Tylenol 1000 mg every 8 hours if you do not have liver problems or other reasons not to take Tylenol. We prefer that you do not use ice or heat at the injection site to make sure the medication does its job; however, ice or heat may be used to relieve pain at the injection site if needed.
  • Localized swelling and bruising may appear at the injection site and may take up to 2 weeks to resolve. Please call the office if you develop drainage at the injection site, bleeding, fever or any other signs of infection. Infections are exceedingly rare, but please alert us if you are concerned.
  • We recommend that she continue physical therapy if prescribed and you may resume light exercise in 48 hours. If you are going to physical therapy we recommend that you avoid dry needling at the site of injection for 2 weeks.