Preparing for an Interventional Pain Procedure

How to prepare, step by step

1. Confirm your blood thinners. Tell the office about every blood thinner or anti-platelet medication you take. Some procedures require pausing them for several days first — but never stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own; the office coordinates timing with the clinician who prescribed it.
2. Ask whether you'll need a driver. Many injections are done awake, and you can drive yourself. Procedures that use sedation require a responsible adult to drive you home.
3. Follow eating and medication instructions. With no sedation, you can usually eat normally and take your routine medications. With sedation, you may be asked not to eat for a set time beforehand.
4. Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes. The steroid used in some injections can raise blood sugar for a few days — ask how to adjust monitoring and medication.
5. Wear comfortable clothing. Loose clothes that are easy to change out of; leave valuables at home.
6. Report any illness. Call ahead for a fever, active infection, or if you simply feel unwell — rescheduling is often the safest choice.
7. Plan a lighter day. Take it easy afterward; your team will tell you when to resume normal activity.

What happens on the day

Interventional procedures are typically done in the office or surgery center using live X-ray (fluoroscopy) or ultrasound guidance so medication reaches exactly the right target. The procedure itself is usually brief. Afterward, staff watch you for a short recovery period, review your aftercare instructions, and confirm your follow-up plan before you leave. Depending on the treatment — for example an epidural steroid injection or radiofrequency ablation — relief may be immediate, or may build over days as inflammation settles.

After your procedure

Mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two is common and usually eases with rest and ice. Your team will tell you when to resume activity, when relief is expected, and which symptoms warrant a call. Contact the office promptly for a fever, spreading redness or drainage at the site, severe or worsening pain, or any new weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. For any medical emergency, call 911.

Questions to ask when you schedule

• Does this procedure use sedation — and will I need a driver?
• Should I pause any of my medications, and for how long?
• When can I expect relief, and how long does it usually last?
• What should I watch for afterward, and when should I call?

Related pages

• What to expect from an epidural steroid injection
• Preparing for a spinal cord stimulator trial
• Services — every condition and treatment, in one place
• Preparing for your first visit

Reviewed by Kenneth J. Eaddy, MD · Updated July 2026