How many Injections will I need and how often?
- It is most common to need more than one treatment to heal. Before an examination, it would be impossible to tell you how many treatments you will need. Most patients heal, and some do not. Everyone’s healing course is different. Some patients have relief after one treatment. Some have no relief after several injections, and then may suddenly have pain relief. Stopping your injection series prior to healing will not assist healing. Treatments are generally scheduled every two weeks for fastest healing.
How quickly will I see improvement in my situation?
Like most medical treatments, patients have different reactions to treatments.
- Some patients feel better immediately.
- Some patients feel the same after one or several procedures.
- Some patients feel better after a nondescript period of time.
- Some patients feel no better until a series of injections are completed.
- Some people will not see significant benefit.
Is this a permanent treatment?
Since we can continue to “wear out” or be reinjured, it is impossible to predict how long your healing will last. Sometimes patients come back a year or more later for a “booster” procedure in the same area. It really depends how well you take care of yourself. Many patients, including myself, have had a dozen or more pain-free years.
To reiterate: There are three things that can prevent healing.
- Patients who over-exercise the healing joint or body part.
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Giving up and stopping therapy prior to complete healing.
Can I Exercise?
- If possible, do not exercise the area being treated during the duration of your treatments. Continuing to use the area in the way that created your pain may delay healing. There is no need to sit at home, or lie in bed.
How can I prepare for my appointment?
- Before your appointment please eat a meal within 1 hour of treatment AND bring a snack so your procedure does not cause you to get dizzy. Any person you bring into the room with you must also have eaten.
Will I have pain and/or discomfort after my Injection and if so, how can I treat it?
As with any medical procedure, there are a certain amount of potential risks and side effects associated with treatments.
- You may or may not experience pain and/or discomfort in the area of your injection for a few days. You may be sore or stiff for a week or more.
- Apply heat to the area injected if needed for pain control. Ice can be used if you are very swollen.
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin (except for your heart), but you may take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Narcotics if needed.
What can I do to prevent infection?
- To avoid infection, please DO NOT immerse injection site under water (bath, ocean, river, hot tub, etc.) for 2 days after your injection. You may shower immediately.
- If you notice redness or swelling in the area of your injection or have a fever it could indicate an infection, and you must contact our office immediately and come in for immediate evaluation. If you cannot reach the office, call Dr. Darrow on his cell phone provided with your patient information. He might have you proceed immediately to the nearest Emergency Room for evaluation and possible antibiotics. An infection could severely compromise your health and the part of the body injected.
Are there specific instructions for the Bone Marrow Stem Cell Extraction Site?
- Keep your bandage ON and DRY for 48 hours. You may shower with a hose handle immediately if you keep the site dry. And full shower after 48 hours.
- DO NOT immerse pelvis (stem cell harvest site) into water for 5 days.
- You may ice the location where the stem cells were removed from your pelvis for 20 minutes per hour if it is sore. (ALERT: ICE CAN CAUSE BURN. DO NOT FALL ASLEEP ON ICE.) Do not use heat on the removal site for 5 days.
- Do not engage in abdominal crunches or torso exercises for 3 weeks.
Nutritional Supplements
- If possible, take the supplements listed on the attached page to augment collagen and cartilage growth and healing. We carry these supplements in our office and you can purchase these at the front desk. The supplements are not mandatory for your healing and are an aid to healing.
Avoid other treatments that may delay healing
- Please do not do treatments such as acupuncture, injections, physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, etc, to the areas injected during your series of injections.