Before and After Procedural Instructions:

 What do I need to do before my procedure?

Please ask your physician any questions you may have about your diagnosis and treatment plan. We wish to be sure you understand all aspects of your care.

• If you are taking any NSAlD’s (ie: Motrin, Naprosyn, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, etc.) please discontinue 5-7 days prior to treatment.
• The night before and the morning of your procedure, wash with anti-bacterial soap.
• Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, sports bra or shorts depending on site treated.
• Your doctor typically may prescribe an antibiotic to be taken prior to, and/or after the procedure. Let us know if you have any drug allergies.
• If you have any anxiety regarding your procedure, please call at least 2 days before your procedure for an oral sedative prescription. If you take an oral sedative, a driver is required to take you to/from your procedure.
• If you are currently on Coumadin, Plavix, Lovinox, Pradaxa, Brilenta, Xarelto or another blood thinner we ask you to see your PCP/ Specialist and receive their permission to discontinue this medication for several days prior to treatment and resume the evening after treatment. Discuss the risk of stopping these medications with your cardiologist or primary care physician and be sure there is agreement that these medications can be discontinued.
• Alert the staff if you have an allergy to anesthetics, bandages or skin preparation solution. Please let us know this well before the procedure
•  We need to know if you are pregnant or think you could be.
• Follow your normal daily routine on the day of your procedure; make sure to drink plenty of water on the day prior and day of your procedure

 

What should I expect after my treatment?

The harvest sites and the areas treated will be numb at first, then mildly uncomfortable after your procedure.
Refrain from strenuous activities, but gently moving the treated area will decrease soreness and stiffness.
BMAC and Lipoaspirate graft patients: No submersion in water for 48 hours. You may shower. Leave initial bandage over bone marrow and fat graft harvest sites for 24 hours. It is normal to have a small amount of bleeding or drainage from these sites – replace the bandage if your dressing becomes soaked. At 24 hours post procedure remove these bandages and clean with anti-bacterial soap, apply antibacterial ointment and cover with new bandage. Keep covered until incision has closed and change your bandage daily thereafter.

You will have small band-aids on your area(s) treated. Change this after 24 hours and use antibiotic ointment.
It is typical to experience increased pain in the treatment area for 4-5 days after your procedure. Return to baseline pain takes 7-14 days.
Some people experience a low-grade fever after treatment. Call if your temperature is above 100.4°, or if you have other issues of concern.
Use Extra Strength Tylenol or prescription medication provided for pain. Apply ice for pain and or swelling (10-20 minutes every 2-3 hours). Make sure to place a barrier between your skin and the ice.

No anti-inflammatory medication (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve) should be used for 4 weeks post-treatment.
You may experience the “roller coaster” syndrome where you feel great one day and for no apparent reason, the area(s) treated starts to hurt again. This is normal in the healing process.
Follow the instructions given for exercises post-treatment. Start your physical therapy or home exercise program 2 weeks after treatment.
If a lower extremity was treated take 325 mg Aspirin daily for 7 days after your procedure. This reduces any risk of blood clot. Also remember to walk and move the leg to some extent often to maintain blood flow.

A follow-up phone call or appointment with our nurse will be scheduled for 6-8 weeks post-procedure.
You may be scheduled to have a PRP therapy 10-12 weeks after your initial BMAC depending on your issue.
It can take up to 12 months for normal collagen to form and for the graft to mature completely, but we often hope for relief around 10-12 weeks.

Your physician’s goal for improvement in your pain and function has been outlined. You may or may not need more than 1 treatment to reach that goal. In some cases, a series of 2-3 treatments are needed to achieve complete healing, but that is most often not the case.

Call the office at the number listed between 8am – 4pm if you experience any concerning symptom or have a medical question that needs immediate attention.

In the event for any reason, you could not reach us and had a serious concern, go to the E.R. and have them call us. In case of a medical emergency call 911 immediately.

Our office number is 803 226 0102 (if no one answers and it is not an emergency, please leave a message)

Our fax number is 803 226 0384

Our email is Southcoastspine0102@gmail.com

It is our hope that all patients will have great success, pain relief and do well in the long run. Risks are involved in these procedures, including, but not limited to, the risks of bleeding, infection, nerve injury and the risk of failure of therapeutic benefit. We at Southcoast believe that biologic therapy is the future of medicine and do our best to provide patients with the best option for their issue.