Post Regenerative Medicine Procedure Success
Post-treatment Pain Control Instructions
If you are allergic to certain pain medication or would prefer something else, please let your doctor know. A few days prior to your procedure, we will call in medication to help with pain control. On the evening before the procedure, you will take one Gabapentin and the morning of the procedure you will take one tablet prior to your procedure. The goal is to avoid chasing your pain. We use long-acting lidocaine in your injections to give you time to get home and take your pain medication before the lidocaine wears off. If you are sensitive to pain medication, start with half of a tablet and see if that works. If a full tablet does not help your pain, you may take two every 4-6 hours with food as needed. We recommend taking pain medication every 4-6 hours the day of your procedure and that night in addition to one Gabapentin at night. The day after your procedure will be one of your most painful days. Continue taking the pain medication throughout the day as needed. After the second day, most patients only need pain medication to help with pain when trying to fall asleep or while sleeping. We recommend continuing your Gabapentin twice daily for 2 weeks after your procedure and the muscle relaxer as needed.
If you don’t need it, don’t use it. Ice may be used for pain control for 10 minutes on, 30-60 minutes off, if necessary.
Top ways to help your stem cells grow
Studies have shown that infrared light helps maintain the life of stem cells during their implantation phase (for 6 weeks after your stem cell procedure). We recommend purchasing the Thermotex Infrared Heating Pad. You may purchase a joint-specific heating pad for $170 or a universal, Platinum model that can be used on all joints and covers a larger surface area for $250. The protocol is 30 minutes 2-3 times daily for 6 weeks after the stem cells are implanted.
For at least 4-6 weeks after your stem cell procedure.
Reduce alcohol intake to a maximum of 1 drink per day and eliminate marijuana for 6-12 weeks after your stem cell procedure. CBD should be avoided for one week after your procedure.
See our handout on rehabilitation phases and how to progress. The most important guideline is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! If you try a stretch or exercise one day and you are sore the next day this is your body telling you that you did too much. Back off from there and start a slower progression. If you have any questions regarding your specific case, please contact the office.
Physical therapy is typically started eight weeks after your procedure for stabilization exercises and they will progress to full exercise as tolerated.
Sedentary to light-duty job requirements – You can typically return to work within 1-2 weeks after your procedure.
Medium to heavy job duty requirements – You can typically return to work within 6-8 weeks after your procedure.