Conor W. O'Neill, M.D.
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Frequently asked questions

Patient information

 

Why have I been referred to Dr. Conor O’Neill, M.D.?

Dr. Conor O’Neill, M.D., specializes in using injections to diagnose and treat spine pain.  He can help diagnose the source of your pain by injecting medication in a part of the spine and observing the effect on your symptoms. For example, if your pain subsides after numbing a certain area, this area is probably causing you pain.  If Dr. O’Neill knows where your pain has originated, this pain can often be treated by injecting medication or performing other procedures.

 

How do I schedule an appointment?

Our scheduling coordinator will call you after they have received the necessary information from your referring physician. In some cases there may be a delay in scheduling related to insurance authorization.

 

What type of medication is used for injections?

Most injections combine a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone. A local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief. Cortisone provides longer term relief by decreasing inflammation, which is the cause of most spine pain problems. The dose of cortisone is small and primarily affects the area injected.

 

Are there any risks?

Injection procedures are typically safe. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects. Dr. O’Neill will review these with you prior to the procedure.

 

Will the procedure(s) be painful?

Dr. O’Neill uses intravenous sedation for procedures and most patients experience minor discomfort.

 

Certain diagnostic injections, particularly discography, may cause more discomfort. The physician will use sedation for these injections, and will use a smaller amount than with other procedures. The discomfort from the diagnostic injections may last a few minutes.  The information you provide related to your pain during and after the injection will help Dr. O’Neill determine your medical condition.

 

What happens before the procedure?

Dr. O’Neill will go over your medical history, perform a brief physical exam, and review your MRI and/or CT scan to evaluate your medical condition. He will review the procedure(s) with you and answer any questions you may have.

 

What happens during the procedure?

The procedure is done in a sterile procedure room.  Surgery center staff administers sedation intravenously. Dr. O’Neill performs the injection procedure using an x-ray machine and contrast dye for needle placement.  The procedures usually take 10 or 20 minutes.  Afterwards, you proceed to a recovery area for approximately 30 minutes to one hour.  You are monitored by a nurse and given something to eat and drink.

 

What happens after the procedure?

Most patients receive local anesthetic with the injection. If you do, you will have some immediate pain relief afterwards. Dr. O’Neill will inquire about how much relief you have had, and may ask you to perform certain maneuvers that were painful prior to the injection.

 

For patients that do not receive local anesthetic, primarily those undergoing discography, Dr. O’Neill will give you intravenous pain medications to ensure your comfort after the procedure. Many times after a discography, Dr. O’Neill will ask you to obtain a CT scan to look for tears and other abnormalities in the discs. This is done at an imaging center close to the injection facility, and usually can be done on your way home.

 

How should I prepare for my appointment?

  • Stop taking the following medications prior to the procedure:

-          Aspirin for seven (7) days

-          Anti-inflammatory medications for three (3) days

-          Narcotic pain medications (such as Vicodin, Norco and similar products) for six (6) hours

-          If you are on diabetes medications or blood thinners, follow specific instructions that our scheduler will provide to you.

  • Arrange for someone to take you home as you will receive medication during the procedure.
  • Men who are having cervical discography must be clean shaven (no beards).
  • OBTAIN YOUR MRI OR CAT SCAN FROM YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE OR THE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS PERFORMED AND BRING THEM WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.
  • Do not eat for eight (8) hours prior to a procedure. You may have clear liquids up to four (4) hours before. Sips of water with medications are acceptable at any time.
  • Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
  • Arrive one (1) hour prior to your procedure, with your completed medical forms.
  • Call us if you develop symptoms of a cold, flu, or other infection before your procedure; if you are placed on antibiotics, or if you think you might be pregnant.

 

What happens when I go home?

  • Do not drive for at least 12 hours.
  • Resume a normal diet and medication schedule immediately.
  • Rest the day of the procedure. Resume all other activities the following day, including work and physical therapy.
  • If local anesthetic is used, you may experience numbness or weakness for a few hours after the procedure. As the local anesthetic wears off, you may have an increase on your pain. If you received cortisone in your injection, your pain may start to improve again within 2-3 days, although it may take as long as 10-14 days. Common side effects from cortisone include flushing, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, headache, upset stomach, and slight fever with flu-like symptoms.
  • You may have soreness at the injection site for one or two days. Some patients, especially those having discograms, may have an increase in their usual pain for several days. If this happens, try rest, ice packs, and your regular pain medications.
  • Call us if you have questions after your procedure.

 

What is my follow-up?

You should follow-up with your referring physician. Dr. O’Neill may also want to see you in our office for a follow-up. Monitor changes to your pain and how long it lasts after the injections and report them to the physician(s).  In some cases, injections provide long-lasting relief. Don’t be alarmed if yours doesn’t. 

 

What is my financial responsibility?

In the course of your treatment you will receive three separate bills- The physician’s, the facility’s, and the imaging service’s bill. If a discogram is provided, you may receive an additional bill for the CT scan.

 

If you sign the appropriate insurance authorization, we bill your insurance company as a courtesy for services rendered. At the time we schedule your appointment, we will determine the coverage of your insurance plan. We are contracted with most insurance carriers.

 

You are responsible for your co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. Payment arrangements for your procedure(s) or other services must be made within 45 days of service. If you anticipate a problem paying your bill, we encourage you to speak confidentially to our Medical Billing Representative, Terre Ferrante, at 916-543-8477.