Some temporary symptoms are expected. Progressive neurological change, infection signs or severe uncontrolled pain are not routine.
Common short-term effects
- Mild soreness at the needle site.
- A small bruise or a feeling of pressure around the treated structure.
- Temporary increase in the original pain after the anaesthetic wears off.
- Brief reproduction of familiar symptoms during needle positioning.
- Temporary numbness, heaviness or weakness when local anaesthetic reaches a nerve.
- A short-lived corticosteroid flare, often within the first one to three days.
Why symptoms can change in stages
Local anaesthetic may reduce pain quickly, but usually lasts only hours. Symptoms can return when it wears off. Corticosteroid, when effective, may take several days to reduce inflammation. This creates a period in which the initial improvement has faded but the later effect has not yet begun.
What is not considered routine?
- Progressive or persistent weakness rather than gradual recovery.
- New loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty passing urine or saddle numbness.
- Severe pain that continues to escalate or is different from the usual symptoms.
- Fever, chills, increasing redness, warmth, swelling or discharge.
- Severe headache after a spinal procedure, particularly if much worse upright and improved lying flat.
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, facial or throat swelling, fainting or a widespread rash.
What should I do if I am uncertain?
Use the written aftercare instructions and contact MBR Health during opening hours for procedure-specific advice. If symptoms are severe, rapidly progressive or suggest an emergency, do not wait for a routine callback—seek urgent medical care or call 000.
| New progressive weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle numbness, breathing difficulty, throat swelling or collapse requires urgent assessment. |
Related Patient Guides
- PG7001 Specialist Image-Guided Injections: Why Imaging Guidance Matters
- PG7002 CT-Guided Spine Injections: What Patients Should Know
- PG7003 Ultrasound-Guided Joint, Tendon and Bursa Injections
- PG7004 What to Expect During an Image-Guided Procedure
- PG7005 Preparing for an Image-Guided Injection: Medicines, Blood Thinners and Infection
- PG7006 CT Guidance or Ultrasound Guidance: Why the Modality Matters
- PG7007 Post-Injection Care: The First 24–72 Hours
- PG7009 Risks and Limitations of Image-Guided Procedures
- PG7010 When to Contact MBR Health or Seek Urgent Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
For other FAQs please visit our FAQs page
How long should numbness last?
It depends on the local anaesthetic, dose and target. It should generally improve as the anaesthetic wears off. Persistent or worsening numbness or weakness needs advice.
Is a pain flare a sign that something went wrong?
Not necessarily. Temporary post-injection soreness or steroid flare can occur. However, severe escalating pain, fever, marked swelling or neurological change should not be dismissed as a routine flare.
Should I take extra pain medication?
Use only medication that is safe for you and consistent with the procedure instructions. Do not exceed labelled or prescribed doses. Contact the clinic or your treating doctor if pain is not controlled.
| Important: General information only. Your procedure, medication instructions, transport requirements and aftercare may differ. |
PATIENT GUIDE • PG-7008 [Patient information: Some temporary symptoms are expected. Progressive neurological change, infection signs or severe uncontrolled pain are not routine..]
Advanced Imaging, Precision Treatment and Pain Relief
MBR Health provides image-guided interventional radiology for patients with spinal, joint, tendon, ligament and musculoskeletal pain. Our approach combines advanced diagnostic imaging with precise procedural targeting, including Spectral CT, MRI and ultrasound where appropriate. For patients seeking high-quality injection-based pain relief on the Gold Coast, the focus is on diagnosis, accuracy and selecting the treatment most suited to the underlying problem.
