You can leave hospital straight after the injection but you should rest for the remainder of the day. If you've had a sedative you will need a friend or relative to take you home afterwards.
Pain relief
For a few hours after the treatment you might want to apply an ice-pack occasionally if tenderness at the injection site is a problem. Your back may initially be a bit more painful but this should wear off after a few days. You should talk to your doctor about taking painkillers on the day of the injection. If you need them, continue taking painkillers as advised by the hospital.
We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.
Recovery time
You should rest your back for 48 hours to allow the treatment to take effect. This means that you should take it easy, but you shouldn’t stay in bed. Try to do some light exercise, such as walking, this will help reduce discomfort.
Looking after you
Even once you’ve left hospital, we’re still here for you.
On rare occasions, complications following treatment can occur. The chance of complications depends on the exact type of treatment you are having and other factors such as your general health. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us straight away - we’re ready to help.