CT (Computed Tomography) uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. With CT guided injections we use the CT pictures to direct an injection into a specific spot that is suspected to be the source of your pain. We can perform these at our Fortius Clinic London site.
If you are taking any antiplatelet medications (like aspirin or clopidogrel) or any medications that thin the blood (like warfarin or rivaroxaban), please let your referrer, Consultant or GP know as these may need to be temporarily stopped before the procedure.
If these medications are not stopped in a clinically safe way before the procedure, it will have to be postponed.
If you are taking antibiotics or have taken them within two weeks of your appointment, please get your consultant know as soon as possible.
If you think there is any possibility you could be pregnant, please get in touch with our team. CT scans are not recommended during pregnancy unless it is an emergency.
Once you arrive, you will be asked to put on a hospital gown. Your consent form will be reviewed and your Consultant will go over the procedure answering any concerns you may have. You will also be asked to sign a consent form confirming you understand what the procedure involves and agree to have the injection.
You will be asked to lie face down on the CT table in a comfortable position for you.
In order to determine the specific location for the injection, a marker is applied to the skin and a planning scan is performed. The region is cleansed and the injection location is indicated with a pen.
You will be given a local anaesthetic at the injection site. Using CT guidance, the doctor will insert a small needle into the precise area to be injected. A combination of an anaesthetic and an anti-inflammatory drug is then administered into the affected area.
The procedure usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the patient/number of injections. After your injection, we'll ask you to wait at the hospital for 30 minutes so we can make sure you're comfortable enough to go home.
Before you leave our hospital, the anaesthetic should begin wear off but could take up to 8 hours to fully wear off. The benefits of the anti-inflammatory continue for up to 3 months but may not start to take effect for a few (2–7) days after the injection.
You can experience a sudden disappearance or marked reduction in pain following the nerve block injection, this is due to the local anaesthetic and will only last for a few hours.
As soon as you feel ready, you can go back to your normal routine unless advised otherwise. However, for up to 12 hours following the procedure, you may experience numbness or tingling on the affected side. You must abstain from driving for 24 hours following your injection because of this.
You might notice a worsening of your typical symptoms when the local anaesthetic wears off. This is because the needle may have produced some bruising in addition to the steroid's initial irritant effects, which may last a few days.
3-5 days following the procedure when the steroid starts to work, most patients report feeling less discomfort. If a flare-up brought on by the injection lasts longer than this, an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen can help ease any discomfort.
Despite their rarity, potential risks could be:
• Bleeding after an injection
• Epidural space infection
• If the fluid sac surrounding the nerves is ruptured, you may get a headache for a few days
• Spinal cord damage (extremely rare)
Please consult a doctor if any untoward symptoms occur.
You can read our information on radiation risk here.
