Pain Management Procedures

Yes, all interventional procedures require an appointment. Please contact our team by phone, in person, or by submitting your referral to schedule the next available time. Generally, a diagnostic scan of the targeted area is also necessary before the procedure.

Preparation instructions will be provided at booking. Please ensure you have any relevant information about past exams, as this may assist with scheduling. We recommend wearing a comfortable two-piece outfit. Additionally, having someone to drive you home is advisable.

Please bring your referral form, any relevant prior reports, and your Medicare or DVA card if applicable. If this is a work-related injury, you may need your WorkCover claim number or inform our team if you plan to lodge a claim.

Our friendly team will guide you to the examination room, explain the procedure, and assist with preparation. The radiologist, with the support of technicians, will perform the procedure under image guidance. Most procedures are quick and minimally invasive. After the procedure, the radiologist will prepare a report for your referring doctor.

Clearview Medical Imaging bulkbills most Medicare-eligible services; however, certain procedures may incur a fee. Our booking staff will let you know if any fees apply.

The anaesthetic injected will work immediately and typically lasts between 3 and 12 hours. However, the steroid may take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to take full effect. Many patients feel relief immediately after the injection, followed by a temporary return of symptoms as the anaesthetic wears off and the steroid takes time to activate. Gradually, relief from pain and inflammation builds over the following days.

For most injections, the procedure itself is very quick, often lasting less than a minute. However, we allow extra time to explain the process and address any questions. For CT-guided injections, such as those for joints or lower back, the procedure may take around 5 to 10 minutes.

We perform various types of lumbar spine injections, including facet joint, perineural/foraminal, translaminar epidural, and transforaminal epidural injections.

For a facet joint injection, you may feel a mild sting from the anaesthetic and slight pressure as the medicine is injected. With nerve root or epidural injections, around 25% of patients experience a brief moment of back or leg pain when the needle approaches the nerve. This sensation, as well as a feeling of pressure from the injected fluid, is normal and subsides quickly.

Feeling nervous is completely natural, especially for first-time patients. Our radiologist will thoroughly explain the procedure beforehand, and you’re encouraged to ask any questions. If you choose not to proceed, that’s perfectly fine; you should never feel pressured to continue. It may be reassuring to know that similar injections are performed daily in hospitals for various conditions, often without image guidance, whereas our procedures are guided for precision within 1mm.

Reports are generally available within 24 to 48 hours. If your doctor has requested an immediate follow-up, please inform our staff. Urgent cases are prioritised, and our team will coordinate with the radiologist to ensure timely reporting if required.