• Don’t eat the morning of the test. But you can drink water or other clear fluids.

• If told to, stop taking medicines before the test.

• Arrange for someone to drive you home.

Tell the healthcare provider if you:

• Are pregnant or think you may be

• Have any bleeding problems

• Take blood thinners (anticoagulants) or other medicines. These include aspirin, certain antipsychotic medicines, and antidepressants. You may be told to stop taking these one or more days before your test. 

• Have had back surgery or low-back pain

• Have any allergies

• You will change into a hospital gown.

• Your lower back will be cleaned, covered with drapes, and injected with a numbing medicine.

• Your doctor will advance a thin needle under guidance, usually using using x-ray guidance ( fluoroscopy) into your spinal canal space.

• Your doctor will inject contrast fluid (dye) into your spinal canal. The doctor may take out a small amount of spinal fluid.

• Additional X-rays will be taken.

• If you need a CT test, it will follow the X-rays.

• Take it easy for the rest of the day, as advised.

• Avoid physical activity, or bending over for 1 to 2 days after the procedure, or as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Lie down with your head raised if you get a headache, or if instructed to do so.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Your provider will discuss the test results with you at a follow-up appointment.

• Small risks of pain, bleeding or infection at the injection site or within or around the spinal canal

• Headache

• Injury to a nerve or the spinal cord at the injection site

• X-ray radiation exposure (generally considered to be low risk and safe)

Call your healthcare provider right away if:

• You have a headache that lasts 2 days or more

• Fever of 100.4 °F (38°C) or chills

• You have lasting pain in your back, or tingling in your groin or legs

• Or, whatever your healthcare provider told you to report based on your medical condition