Your First Visit

When your physician's office makes your first appointment, you will receive a comprehensive questionnaire. It is important that you complete the questionnaire as thoroughly as possible prior to your appointment. Bring this completed form with you to your appointment.

Your LCA Pain Clinic physician will spend time reviewing your questionnaire during your clinic visit. They will also review your medical history and past medical records, and conduct a physical examination. Your doctor may feel it is necessary to perform supplemental tests to better determine the cause of your pain. Once all information is reviewed, the diagnosis and treatment options will be discussed with you.

There are many treatment options. Frequently patients find relief from their pain from the injection of steroid or anesthetic drugs. Injections may be performed during initial visits (if warranted) but only if the patient has taken proper precautions prior to that appointment. Injections will only be performed if:

• the patient has not consumed any solid foods during the 6 hours prior to the appointment,
• has not consumed anything other than clear liquids during the 2 hours prior to the appointment,
• taken only the prescribed medications as advised by the clinic prior to the appointment,
• and arranged for an adult to drive home and stay with the patient for 12- 24 hours following the procedure.

ADDITIONALLY:

• All diabetic patients must call the pain clinic directly for specific guidelines.
• Patients who take blood thinners must call the pain clinic directly for specific guidelines.

Patients are also encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing for appointments.

Please remember: not all patients are candidates for injection treatments and some require additional testing prior to treatment.

 

Additional Visits

Additional visits, if needed, will be scheduled at the clinic as you leave. If you are an established patient, you may call the clinic directly for return visits, for the same pain issue, for up to one year from your first appointment without obtaining a new referral from your personal physician. If you have a new/different pain problem, your referring physician must contact the Pain Clinic with a new referral.