You may be referred to the pain clinic if you have had severe pain symptoms for a long time and your GP or treating physician can no longer provide you with a treatment to reduce pain symptoms.

If medication does not provide sufficient pain relief, injections may be required. These include, for example, epidural infiltrations. Other less invasive diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods can also be used, namely injections at various levels, including at the level of the vertebral joints or the nerve root. Then, if necessary, a more permanent treatment of the nerve in question can be applied by means of a radiofrequency treatment (‘warming’).

Practical information

Available between 8 AM and 4 PM at T 02 257 56 60.

What to bring?

• Your ID card
• Your list of recent medication
• The necessary forms the physician needs to complete for insurance, work or school leave
• Results of recent tests: CT scan, MRI, lab results, protocol, CD-ROM with images, code for online access to medical imaging, etc.
• The referral letter from your GP or specialist
• Reading, laptop, tablet, etc.

There are a number of things you should already consider prior to your hospital admission and pain treatment.

X-rays are used, therefore it is very important to report any (possible) pregnancy in advance to the referring physician, but also to the treating physician and the nursing team of the Pain Clinic at AZ Jan Portaels.

In case of illness or fever on the day of treatment, it is best to contact the Pain Clinic in advance.

Be sure to report any known allergies. This may include certain medications, latex, contrast medium, disinfectants, as well as certain nutrients.

Blood thinners should be stopped before the start of treatment to avoid unwanted bleeding during and after treatment. However, there are risks associated with why you are taking the blood thinners. So, always mention the fact that you are taking blood thinners and only stop medication in consultation with your doctor. Possible blood thinners may include: Plavix®, Ticlid®, Efient®, Eliquis®, Xarelto®, Pradaxa®, Marcoumar®, Sintrom®, Brilique®, Aspirin®, Asaflow®, Clexane®, Lixiana®,...

The general rule that you must fast from midnight is not applicable for this pain therapy. However, it is recommended not to eat or drink anything from three hours before the start of the infiltration.

Also, make the necessary arrangements before you leave for the hospital to make sure someone can take you home afterwards. After your pain treatment, you should not drive a vehicle yourself.

Do not bring any children along to the hospital.

Cancel an appointment?

If you cannot come to your appointment because of unforeseen circumstances, may we ask you to notify us as soon as possible and at least two working days before the scheduled appointment by calling T 02/257 56 60 or at annulatie.pijnkliniek@azjanportaels.be. This way, the hospital will not send you a bill for late cancellation. This also allows us to schedule other patients.

For more information related to pain management and pain therapy, please see our brochures below.