Spine injection procedures are commonly performed to help diagnose or treat pain arising from the spine or surrounding nerves. Examples include facet joint injections, nerve root injections and epidural injections. Your pain specialist or treating doctor will discuss the procedure itself with you. This page explains what to expect from the anaesthetic perspective.
What type of anaesthetic is used?
These procedures are almost always performed under light, carefully controlled sedation rather than a full general anaesthetic.
The aim is to help you feel relaxed and comfortable while still allowing the procedure to be performed safely and accurately. The sedation is adjusted carefully throughout the procedure to keep you comfortable while maintaining safe breathing and positioning.
These procedures are usually performed as day procedures, usually take less than 1 hour in duration, and most patients are able to go home the same day.
Before the procedure
Before your procedure, I will review your medical history, medications, allergies, previous anaesthetic history and any issues that may affect your care.
It is particularly important that your treating team is aware of:
- blood-thinning medicines or anticoagulants
- previous problems with sedation or anaesthesia
- sleep apnoea
- reflux or swallowing problems
- significant heart or lung disease
- chronic pain medicines or opioid use
In most cases, you should continue your usual pain medicines leading up to the procedure unless you have been given different instructions.
You will also be given fasting instructions before the procedure.
Positioning for the procedure
These procedures are usually performed with the patient lying on their stomach in the prone position.
Positioning is a very important part of the procedure. Before sedation is commenced, you will usually be assisted onto the operating table and supported carefully to find a position that:
- facilitates safe and accurate injection placement
- protects pressure areas and supports breathing
- is as comfortable as possible for you
Careful positioning is particularly important because the procedure is performed while you are lying prone. Time is taken to achieve a position that is both safe and as comfortable as possible before the sedation is started.
What happens during the sedation?
Once you are positioned, monitoring will be attached and an intravenous cannula will be used for sedation medications.
During the procedure you will usually have:
- light, controlled sedation
- oxygen during the procedure
- continuous heart and oxygen monitoring
- close blood pressure monitoring
- careful observation by the anaesthesia team throughout
The aim is to keep you comfortable and reassured while maintaining safe breathing and stable conditions for the procedure.
Monitoring and safety
During sedation, standard monitoring is used to support patient safety and close vigilance is maintained throughout the procedure.
Because these injections are performed in the prone position, particular attention is paid to:
- breathing
- oxygenation
- comfort
- pressure areas
- safe positioning throughout the case
What should I expect afterwards?
At the end of the procedure, the sedation is reduced or stopped and you will recover under observation.
Most patients wake quickly and comfortably. Common temporary effects can include:
- drowsiness
- mild soreness at the injection site
- stiffness from lying prone
- occasional mild dizziness or nausea
Your treating team will advise you when you can sit up, mobilise, drink fluids and go home.
Medicines and fasting
Please ensure that your fasting instructions and medication plan have been confirmed before your procedure.
[Medicines & Fasting]
General information only
This page provides general information only. The anaesthetic plan for your procedure will be tailored to your medical history, the specific injection procedure and the preferences of your treating team.