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Taking time to prepare in the days leading up to your joint injection appointment helps maximize patient safety, improve overall comfort, and optimize your treatment outcomes<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>1. Complete a Detailed Medication Review<\/h3>Prescription Blood Thinners:<\/span><\/b> If you take anticoagulant or anti-platelet medications\u2014such as warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), clopidogrel (Plavix), or high-dose daily aspirin\u2014be sure to inform our clinical team well in advance<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>To reduce the risk of localized bleeding or bruising within the joint, you may be advised to temporarily pause these medications for a few days before your appointment<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Crucial Safety Note:<\/span><\/b> Never stop taking a prescribed blood thinner without direct approval and coordination from your prescribing physician<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p><\/li>Over-the-Counter NSAIDs:<\/span><\/b> If you are scheduled to receive a <\/span>PRP injection<\/span><\/b>, you must strictly avoid taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, or diclofenac) for <\/span>1 to 2 weeks before<\/span><\/b> your procedure<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>NSAIDs suppress the natural inflammatory pathways that are essential for triggering the PRP healing cascade<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>For patients receiving cortisone or hyaluronic acid injections, continuing NSAIDs up to the day of treatment is generally perfectly fine<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p><\/li>Diabetes Management Adjustments:<\/span><\/b> If you manage diabetes, keep in mind that a localized corticosteroid (cortisone) injection can cause a temporary elevation in your blood glucose levels for several days afterward<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Monitor your blood sugar numbers closely during this window and coordinate any necessary temporary adjustments to your insulin or oral medications with your primary care provider<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>2. Gather and Organize Your Medical Records<\/h3>
To help us provide the most accurate care, please bring copies of any relevant diagnostic imaging studies\u2014including recent X-rays, MRIs, or musculoskeletal ultrasound reports\u2014either saved on a CD or via an accessible online patient portal link<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>It is also helpful to provide a complete, up-to-date list of all your current prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements, including exact dosages and frequencies<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>If you are visiting our clinic for a second opinion, bringing records from previous joint injections, physical therapy notes, or surgical reports will help us customize your care plan<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>3. Arrange Your Post-Treatment Transportation<\/h3>
For the vast majority of routine joint treatments, including cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and trigger point injections, you will be able to safely drive yourself home or return to work immediately following your visit<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>For regenerative PRP treatments, driving yourself home is also perfectly fine because no systemic sedatives are used during the process<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>On rare occasions when a patient experiences high anxiety or undergoes a complex spinal procedure, a conscious sedative may be utilized<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>In those specific situations, you will be notified ahead of time and will need to arrange for a responsible adult driver to accompany you home<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>4. Write Down Your Questions<\/h3>
We encourage all patients to jot down any questions they may have for their provider before their appointment<\/span><\/span>. Consider asking:<\/span><\/p>Which specific type of injection medication am I receiving today, and what are its mechanical goals?<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p><\/li>What is the typical timeline for experiencing meaningful pain relief?<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p><\/li>What specific structural movements or high-impact activities should I avoid immediately after care?<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
The Day Before and Morning of Your Appointment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Following a few simple steps on the day before and the morning of your visit can significantly improve your comfort during the procedure:<\/p>
\ud83d\udcc5 Pre-Injection Checklist<\/h3>
* <\/span>Prioritize Proper Hydration:<\/span><\/b> Drink plenty of water leading up to your session<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Good hydration expands your vascular volume, which makes the blood draw process much smoother and faster if you are receiving a PRP treatment<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>* <\/span>Eat a Balanced, Light Meal:<\/span><\/b> Please do not show up on an empty stomach<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Enjoying a light meal or healthy snack prior to your appointment keeps your blood sugar stable, helping to prevent nerves or lightheadedness during the injection<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>* <\/span>Dress in Loose, Comfortable Clothing:<\/span><\/b> Wear garments that allow easy access to the target joint without constriction<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>We recommend loose-fitting shorts or wide-leg track pants for knee treatments, and a tank top, loose button-down shirt, or camisole for shoulder procedures<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>* <\/span>Shower Using Normal Soap:<\/span><\/b> Maintaining clean skin is an easy way to help reduce the risk of introduction of skin bacteria into the injection track<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>* <\/span>Avoid Topical Skin Products:<\/span><\/b> Do not apply any moisturizing lotions, body oils, cosmetic creams, or topical pain rubs directly over or around the target joint on the morning of your appointment<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t