The following guidelines are typical of preparation for an IDET* procedure:

• One week before the procedure, patients should discontinue NSAIDs. All other prescription medications can be continued.
• Physicians should inquire about concurrent infections, the use of blood thinners, history of bleeding disorder, and allergies to the anesthetic and antibiotics to be used.
• Immediately before the procedure, patients will receive a light sedative IV and a local anesthetic at the needle (cannula) insertion point on the back. Patients may experience mild discomfort during needle and catheter positioning and may experience their typical back pain during the heating period.
• Since patients are only lightly sedated, they will be able to provide important feedback about the relative intensity of their pain to the physician/operator.

For specific information about postprocedural care, please review the following resources:

• Immediate Postprocedural Care
• Intermediate Postprocedural Care
• Long-term Postprocedural Care