WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
520 Maple Avenue Suite A Reidsville, NC 27320 (across the street from the Main Entrance of Annie Penn Hospital) Please see our Contact Page for a map and directions.
WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE HOURS?
Monday-Thursday 7:30AM-4:00PM; Closed Fridays; Phones closed from Noon-12:30PM daily; Closed for lunch Noon-12:30 daily; Procedures are scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:30AM-4:00PM and Thursdays from 7:30AM-Noon.
WHAT INSURANCE PLANS ARE ACCEPTED?
Please refer to the Patient Information section on our website.
WHAT CONDITIONS DOES DR. DALTON-BETHEA EVALUATE AND TREAT?
Please refer to the Specialties section on our website.
WHAT TYPES OF MEDICATIONS DO YOU USE TO TREAT MY SYMPTOMS?
Dr. Bethea strongly believes in the use of non-opioid (narcotics) medications. Over 95% of patients who have non cancer related pain, can be successfully treated with non-opioids.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED A REFILL ON MY MEDICATION(S)?
Medications will ONLY be refilled during normal business hours (7:30AM-4:00PM) Monday through Thursday. Under no circumstances will medications be refilled after hours, on weekends, or holidays. Call the office @ 336-349-5050; email us at the following address: refills @ pssspa.com; or ask your pharmacy to send us a fax prescription request 2-3 days before your prescription is due. It is your responsibility to keep track of when your medication is due.
WHAT TYPES OF PROCEDURES DOES DR. DALTON-BETHEA PERFORM?
Please refer to our Specialties section of our website.
**All procedures can be performed at our office (except Kyphoplasty) or at the Annie Penn surgical center for those patients that feel they require that type of setting. ***Patients that request the surgical center option should verify the difference in their co-pay and deductibles with their insurance company. There is normally a higher upfront expense for procedures done in an ambulatory surgical center versus those done in the office.
Some procedures require x-ray guidance while others, such as trigger point injections and bursa injections, do not require x-ray guidance. Patients have no restrictions after non-x-ray guided injections.
WHY DO I NEED A NURSE VISIT PRIOR TO MY X-RAY GUIDED PROCEUDRE?
The purpose of the nurse visit is to educate you (the patient) on your upcoming procedure. We want all of our patients to be well informed of what will or will not take place during your procedure. After reviewing your pre-procedure instructions and the procedure consent form, we will ask that you sign this paperwork. You will also pick up a prescription for some medication to help you relax for your procedure. Not all patients require this medication and most don’t require it after their initial injection. This nurse visit is your “question and answer” session, so please feel free to ask as many pertinent questions as you need to before you leave our office. The nurse visit is not required in order to have a procedure-but it is required if you decide that you need the relaxant medication. Most people like the nurse visit and feel much more comfortable with the procedure after speaking to one of our team members. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE VISIT.
ARE THE PROCEDURES PAINFUL?
We typically don’t like to use the word “pain” when it comes to these procedures. Most people describe a “pressure” type feeling instead of pain. Dr. Dalton-Bethea always numbs the area to be injected, so most people don’t feel anything other than a slight “burn” from the numbing medication. There are some injections that require passage through ligaments that are designed to protect your spinal cord. This can cause slightly more pressure for the patient as the ligaments resist Dr. Dalton-Bethea’s needle passage through them. The discogram is one procedure that unfortunately is painful for patients. This is a diagnostic procedure. The goal of a discogram is to reproduce your day to day pain in order to find the source of the pain.
WHAT IF ONE INJECTION DOES NOT WORK?
Some patients may require more than one injection. Don’t get discouraged if you need more than one. Please keep in mind that some patients may not respond to our “first line” steroid. For those patients, we have 3 other steroids that can be safely used. Also, please keep in mind that some patients are never totally pain free but they do find that their pain decreases to a much more tolerable level following the injection(s).
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DRIVER FOR MY PROCEDURE?
We like for all of our patients to have a driver, however we understand that one may not always be available. If you must drive yourself, you will be required to sign a “Discharged Against Medical Advice” form. We typically do not prescribe “relaxing medication” for those that must drive themselves, due to the “intoxicating” effects of the medication.
IS THIS A “CORTISONE” INJECTION?
No. Cortisone is the name of a specific steroid. Cortisone is not safe to be injected into the spinal area. The “first line” steroid we use is called Kenalog. For those patients who do not respond to Kenalog, we will then use Depo-Medrol, Celestone or Dexamethasone. Dr. Dalton-Bethea will only use Dexamethasone for neck (cervical) and upper back (thoracic) procedures. The other steroids are not safe to use in these latter areas.
AM I EXPOSED TO RADIATION DURING MY PROCEDURE?
Yes. Typically patients are exposed to less than 5 seconds total of radiation. Some procedures will require more exposure due to the length of the procedure itself. This is closely monitored for your safety.
CAN I GET INJECTIONS IF I’M PREGNANT OR BREAST FEEDING?
Absolutely not! You are exposed to radiation which can cause defects to the unborn child. The medications that are injected can be passed through breast milk and potentially cause problems to your baby. If you think there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, PLEASE NOTIFY OUR STAFF! Your baby’s health comes first.
WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK OR RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES?
You can go back to your normal routine/work the next day. We want you to rest and relax for 24 hours after your procedure.
WHAT ARE MY DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS?
Please refer to the Patient Information section of our website, then go to “Patient Forms”. This information will be reviewed with you in the recovery room following your procedure.
WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE NORMAL AND CAN HAPPEN AFTER THE INJECTIONS?
You may notice an increased appetite, increased heart rate, sweating, flushed sensation in your face and neck, increased blood sugar (diabetics only), insomnia, cramps, increased pain and allergic reactions to medications used during the procedure.
MY FACE IS VERY RED AND TINGLING AND I’M HOT!! IS THIS AN ALLERGIC REACTION? IS THIS AN EMERGENCY?
This is NOT an emergency or allergic reaction. You are experiencing what is called a “steroid flush”. This is a common side effect that will go away on its own. Increase your fluid intake to help decrease your symptoms. This is a reaction between the steroid and the temperature receptors in your brain. This can continue for up to 72 hours but it DOES resolve.
I’M A DIABETIC AND MY SUGARS ARE RUNNING VERY HIGH. IS THIS NORMAL?
Yes. Steroids will cause an increase in your blood sugar. It is very important to closely monitor your sugars for at least 3 days after your injection. Contact the doctor that manages your diabetes for any sugar above 400 mg/dl.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M HAVING AN ALLERGIC REACTION?
Symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, hives, and difficulty swallowing need to be addressed by your local emergency room department immediately! Do not call the office as these are true emergency symptoms. Let the ER physician know that you had an injection done by Dr. Bethea.
Allergic reactions typically happen rather quickly after an injection and will be treated immediately in the office. You will be monitored longer for resolution of symptoms. Symptoms are typically itching, redness or a rash at the injection site. If these symptoms return at home, over-the-counter Benadryl 25-50mg every 4 hours will help.
Some patients can also experience nausea +/- vomiting from the contrast dye. If this happens, eat a bland diet (dry toast, crackers, clear fluids) for 24 hours and then re-evaluate your symptoms. If any of these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours contact our office at 336-349-5050 for further instructions.
I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE AFTER I GOT HOME. IS THIS A SPINAL HEADACHE?
No. This is more than likely coincidental. A spinal headache will almost always occur before your leave our office. If you experience a spinal headache, you will need to lay flat for a minimum of 24 hours. You may be upright to eat, shower, and use the rest room. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help this type of headache resolve. However, if you continue to have a headache that does not resolve with increased fluid intake and laying flat as well as the use of your typical headache medications, call our office at 336-349-5050.
WHEN CAN I RESUME MY NORMAL ACTIVITIES (WORK, EXERCISE, ETC.)?
You can go back to your normal routine the next day. We want you to rest and relax for 24 hours after your procedure.
DO I NEED TO STOP ANY MEDICATIONS PRIOR TO MY PROCEDURE?
Yes. Please refer to the “Patient Information” section of our website then go to “Patient Forms”. DO NOT stop any medication on your own. Wait until you are advised to stop them. We must have written documentation from your prescribing physician before you stop any of your medications.
IS A REFERRAL FROM MY DOCTOR REQUIRED IN ORDER TO SEE DR. BETHEA?
No. We accept both physician and most self-referrals.
IS THERE A FEE FOR MISSING MY APPOINTMENT?
Yes. ALL appointments require a 24 hour cancellation notice (except in the event of an emergency). If you arrive too late for your procedure to be performed or if you do not call to cancel your appointment, you will be considered a “No Show”. A $50.00 “No Show” fee must be paid PRIOR to rescheduling your appointment.
This page is frequently updated with new patient questions and answers.
If you do not find an answer to your question here, please contact us.
Performance Spine & Sports Specialists, PA
I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13