MSK Appointment Preperation

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete the check-in process and any necessary paperwork.

Please note that we will not be able to continue with your appointment if you have an active infection or are on antibiotics. The medication we use will reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotics. If you are on antibiotics, please call our booking line at (403) 244-3700 and press 1 to reschedule your appointment.

Please do not stop any pain medication that has been prescribed by your doctor without consulting him or her first. Please reduce any pain medication (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) the day of your appointment, so that you have enough discomfort (but not extreme) to determine if your exam has been effective in relieving your symptoms. If you are in pain despite your medications, you do not need to decrease them.

We ask that you make arrangements for transportation. You will not be able to drive after your appointment for the rest of the day. Your appointment will be rebooked if you do not have a driver.

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete the check-in process and necessary paperwork.

Please note that we will not be able to continue with your appointment if you have an active infection or are on antibiotics. If you are on antibiotics for an infection, please call our booking line at (403) 244-3700 and press 1 to reschedule your appointment.

Please do not stop any pain medication that has been prescribed by your doctor without consulting him or her first. You cannot be on any anti-inflammatory medication 5-7 days prior to the appointment, as well as 6 weeks after the appointment. There is no need to stop or reduce other pain medication for this exam.

For this appointment, we highly recommend that you make arrangements for transportation. Often, Patients are unable to drive due to post procedure pain.

Consists of perforating (fenestrating) the affected tendon with a small caliber needle under ultrasound guidance. The purpose is to induce an acute lesion and cause an inflammatory response that promotes natural healing of the tendinopathy.

It is a non- invasive treatment. Local anesthesia is used and can be combined with PRP or prolotherapy. No post-procedure immobilization of the treated area is necessary. Physical therapy/rehabilitation sessions should be discussed at time of procedure.

Post treatment:

First 72 hours: The treatment area is painful for the first several hours after the procedure. This is normal.

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs or applying ice is not advised. You will be given instructions regarding the type of pain medication to take from the attending Radiologist or alternatively, speak with your Doctor prior to your procedure about pain management.

Avoid ANY increased activity or exercises for the first 2 weeks post procedure. You may complete normal daily activities as tolerated. Stretching can be done as often as needed. Seek professional advice on proper stretching.

Although rare, infection at the treatment site is always possible. If fever, redness and/or swelling of the skin after 72 hours is noted, consult your doctor.

4-7 days post procedure: The pain should diminish. Limit activities to those of daily living while avoiding heavy lifting or rigorous activity. Ensure you have an appointment to begin appropriate physical therapy/rehabilitation.

2 weeks: Begin/resume rehabilitation program.

4+ weeks: It is expected that rehabilitation should take a minimum of 6 – 12 weeks. Individual patient response will be different and dependent on the specific procedure and body part treated. Complete recovery can take up to 2 years so it is important to comply with the recommended physical therapy protocol.