How Long Do You Have to Wait to Get an Injection for Back Pain?
If you are in pain and waiting to get an injection, that wait can feel impossible. Many people assume long delays are just how pain care works. They are not. And if you have already seen a surgeon, there is often a faster path than you realize.
If You Have Seen a Surgeon, You Have a Fast Option
A lot of patients see a spine surgeon, learn that they do not need surgery right away, and then face a long wait to get an injection that could actually relieve their pain. You do not have to sit in that gap. Your surgeon can refer you directly to us for the injection. When they send a direct-to-injection referral, we proceed with the injection within about a week, and you return to your surgeon for next steps. It is a simple way to get relief sooner without starting your care over from scratch.
General Consults Take a Little Longer
For a standard new-patient consult, we are usually scheduling a few weeks out. That is still well ahead of the two or three month waits some practices quote, and it gives us time to do a full evaluation and review your imaging. If your situation is urgent, we move much faster.
Urgent Problems Are Seen Within Two Days
Some conditions cannot wait. We aim to see urgent referrals within two days, including compression fractures (such as those caused by osteoporosis or cancer) and new disc herniations. If you or your doctor think your problem is urgent, say so when you call so we can get you in quickly.
Want the Full Picture, Not Just the Injection?
A direct-to-injection referral is built for speed. We do the injection and send you back to your surgeon. You are always welcome to book a separate consultation with us as well, where we can review your imaging and walk through your other non-surgical options, from epidural injections for the spine to joint injections for the knee, shoulder, or hip, along with radiofrequency ablation and physical therapy.
The One Thing That Speeds It Up
Whenever you call to schedule, tell the front desk that your visit is for an injection, or that your surgeon referred you for one. That routes your appointment to the right kind of visit from the start, so you are not waiting longer than you need to.
Getting Seen Quickly in Castle Rock
Dr. Carrera is double board-certified in interventional pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation, and works alongside local surgeons and primary care doctors to get patients non-opioid pain relief. The practice serves patients from Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Denver, Monument, and Colorado Springs, and surrounding communities.
Waiting on an injection? Ask your surgeon to send a direct referral, or call us at 720-455-3775 to find out how soon you can be seen.
