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CT stands for computed tomography which is an advanced type of x-ray scanner used to create highly detailed 3D imaging of the human body. A CT guided injection uses this technology to help doctors inject small structures such as nerves and joints deep within the body.
CT guided injections are used to treat pain that is associated with nerves in your neck, lower back and in other parts of your body. CT guided injections are also used to treat joint, muscle and tendon problems deep in the body which are difficult to see with traditional fluoroscopy (x-ray) or ultrasound.
A fluoroscopy (x-ray) -guided nerve block injection is a possible alternative but will not provide the same level of detail as a CT-guided procedure.
If you are being referred for a CT-guided nerve block injection, your Doctor feels that this is the best option for you.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being injected. Metal fastenings like zips, poppers and hooks and eyes will show up on the scan, so we may ask you to change into a hospital gown.
Please contact your referring doctor or GP if you are taking any antiplatelet medicines (such as aspirin or clopidogrel) or any medicines that thin the blood (such as warfarin or rivaroxaban), as these may need to be stopped temporarily before the procedure. The procedure may have to be cancelled if these medications have not been stopped within the appropriate time frame. Please contact us if you are on antibiotics, or have been on antibiotics within two weeks of your appointment date, as the procedure will need to be rescheduled.
If you are taking any other medicines, please continue to take these as usual unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor. If you need to bring your children with you, please bring along an adult who can supervise them while your scan is underway. We are unable to offer childcare facilities.
A CT guided injection is far more accurate than using other forms of imaging such as ultrasound and traditional fluoroscopy (x-ray). Small nerves and joints only a few mm in size can be injected with pin-point accuracy deep inside the body. It is therefore safer especially when used to performing spinal and deep tissue injections.
As with conventional x-ray pictures, CT scans use radiation. The level of radiation used is very small and the benefits of the procedure are thought to outweigh any risks. If you are or think you could be pregnant, or if you have had an allergic reaction to corticosteroids or local anaesthetic in the past, then you must tell your referring doctor or the radiologist before your procedure.
This procedure is well-established and safe when performed in a controlled setting. However, with any interventional procedure there are risks, side effects and a possibility of complications. Risks include infection, worsening of symptoms and bleeding. The most common side effect is temporary discomfort and numbness in the area injected. Please note that 1 in 10 patients undergoing lumbar (lower back) nerve root blocks may experience temporary leg weakness due to the long-acting anaesthetic, which will require hospital admission until symptoms have resolved. Side effects related to the steroid include fluid retention, weight gain, increased blood sugar (mainly in people with diabetes), raised blood pressure and mood swings.
Fortunately, these serious side effects are very rare and mainly seen in patients who take corticosteroids daily for a long period of time. Please bear in mind that your doctor or consultant has recommended you for this procedure because he/she believes that the potential benefits of an injection outweigh any potential complications. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with your doctor. Please note that we do not offer sedation or general anaesthetic for this procedure.
CT guided injections are performed by Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologists. Musculoskeletal radiologists are highly trained medical doctors who use advanced imaging techniques and equipment to diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and painful conditions affecting the muscles, joints and nerves.
A CT scanner looks like a large doughnut. You will be asked to lie down on a motorised bed which then moves slowly into the opening and out the other side. As you pass through the scanner, x-rays are being taken. The x-ray machine sends thin beams of x-rays through your body, which are detected by sensors on the other side. The information then goes to a computer which produces a picture of the structures of the inside of your body.
If we are doing a nerve block injection on your lower back (lumbar spine) we will ask you to lay on your front. If we are doing a nerve block injection on your neck (cervical spine), we will ask you to lie on your back. A marker grid may be placed on the skin prior to a planning scan to find the correct position for the injection. The injection site is then marked with a pen, and the area cleaned. It is very important that you do not move until the end of your procedure. The radiologist will then inject a small amount of local anaesthetic to numb the area. Once this has taken effect, he/she will place a longer needle into the site, and another planning scan is taken. The needle may then need to be repositioned and another scan may need to be taken. Once the radiologist is happy that the tip of the needle is in the correct place, the injection will be given. This may cause a strange and painful electric shock sensation which soon passes.
CT guided injections usually involve a combination of steroid and local anaesthetic which usually take 7-10 days to reach maximal effect. Some patients get immediate relief after the injection.
Immediately after the nerve block injection, you may feel that your pain has gone or is significantly reduced. This is due to the local anaesthetic and will last for a few hours. You may resume regular activity as soon as you feel able. However, you may feel numbness and tingling on the affected side for up to 12 hours after the procedure. For this reason, you must not drive for 24 hours after your procedure.
After the local anaesthetic has worn off, you may experience a worsening of your usual symptoms. This is due to possible bruising caused by the insertion of the needle, as well as an initial irritation caused by the steroid itself. It may last for a couple of days. Most people start noticing pain relief three to five days after the procedure when the steroid begins to take effect. If the temporary flare-up caused by the injection persists beyond this time, an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen can help relieve this pain.
The response to having a CT-guided nerve block injection is variable and ranges from no benefit to improvement in symptoms for over six months. It is estimated that approximately 75% of people will benefit from having a CT-guided nerve block injection. If the injection does not alleviate your pain, please speak to the doctor who referred you. Your referring doctor will decide on further management depending on clinical assessment and your response to the injection.
You may feel numbness and tingling on the affected side for up to 12 hours after the procedure. For this reason, you must not drive for 24 hours after your procedure.
Sometimes the injection causes a very brief electric shock like sensation when the medicine is being injected around the nerve. This is does not happen in every case and is brief when and if it happens.
The cost of a CT guided injection scan will depend on your Ramsay hospital of choice, find out more about your nearest Ramsay facility here.
You will receive a formal quotation price following a referral from your GP or appropriate clinician. This formal quote for your CT scan will be valid for 60 days.
New Hall Hospital has entered a new chapter with a refreshed Senior Leadership Team (SLT) bringing energy, experience, and a shared commitment to strengthening clinical quality, patient experience, and community presence. Head of Clinical Services Alessio (Alex) Biagini, Head of Operations Amy Andrews, and Head of Finance Tasawar (Tas) Hussain each bring distinct expertise, but their ambitions align: to build a resilient, patient centred hospital that continues to deliver outstanding care for both private and NHS patients.
New Hall Hospital is a striking Victorian manor house with five separate buildings set in beautiful grounds. It is known for high-quality care, strong clinical outcomes and friendly staff. The hospital holds a Good CQC rating with notable praise for staff culture and safety.
Recent substantial investment has refreshed New Hall Hospital’s historic manor house and grounds, enhancing the environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Seven patient rooms have been fully refurbished, with modern interiors and newly installed air conditioning that has been especially valued during recent heatwaves. These improvements build on the hospital’s reputation for comfort, privacy, and a welcoming setting.
Alongside these upgrades, New Hall maintains a strong record of clinical compliance and quality. The hospital submits 100% of eligible procedures to the National Joint Registry, holds a renewed JAG accreditation for endoscopy services, and has achieved Silver accreditation in Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) from The Association for Safe Aseptic Practice. These achievements reflect the hospital’s commitment to safe practice, robust infection control, and consistently high standards of care.
Having been at New Hall Hospital for five years, Alex has already witnessed significant change across the site and its services. He emphasises that New Hall is “clinically safe with good outcomes and a transparent, open culture.” He sees clear opportunity to build on these strengths through data driven improvement and closer collaboration with consultants, partners, and the local community.
Alex sees opportunities to expand training pathways, such as Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) apprenticeships to support HCAs to progress into nursing roles and enhancing specialist skills across the workforce. He also highlights key clinical priorities, including replacing the hospital’s MRI scanner to support its significant spinal surgery workload and exploring new technologies such as robotics and aquablation for benign prostate conditions.
With spinal surgery accounting for around 40% of New Hall’s activity, and strong services in urology, gynaecology, and orthopaedics, the SLT aims to build on what the hospital already does exceptionally well.
Amy Andrews brings 12 years of Ramsay experience and a deep understanding of spinal services, patient flow, and operational efficiency. Her focus is clear, to make New Hall Hospital easier to access, easier to navigate, and easier to choose.
She is strengthening the hospital’s “digital front door” by improving online booking availability, expanding clinic capacity, and hopes to enhance social media presence. Recent changes have already increased private patient activity, with more timely appointment slots now available.
Amy is also championing community engagement. Plans include patient education events, consultant led talks, GP practice visits, and a September open day inviting the public to explore the grounds, meet clinicians, and learn about services. She emphasises that New Hall’s staff are known for their friendliness and long service, with one colleague recently celebrating 35 years at the hospital, a testament to its culture and stability.
As the newest member of the SLT, Tas Hussain brings a fresh perspective and a strong commitment to ensuring long-term sustainability for New Hall Hospital. After just two months in post, he says he has been struck by the commitment and positivity of the staff at New Hall, noting how strongly the workforce is aligned around delivering excellent patient care.
Tas describes New Hall as a beautiful listed site with enormous potential to attract more private patients, both self-pay and those with private medical insurance.
He is committed to building a culture of collaboration and openness, where consultants and staff feel supported, informed, and part of the hospital’s future direction. This includes expanding the hospital’s core specialist services such as spinal surgery and physiotherapy, investing in theatre equipment and innovation, supporting staff development, improving marketing and local outreach, and strengthening partnerships with GP practices and local stakeholders.
Tas emphasises that every financial decision must ultimately support safe, high quality care.
Across all three leaders, a consistent theme emerges: New Hall Hospital is ready to grow, and it will do so by strengthening what matters most: clinical quality, patient experience, staff development, and community engagement.
Their combined aspirations include:
New Hall Hospital’s new SLT is united in its belief that the hospital’s next chapter will be defined by collaboration, innovation, and a renewed connection with the community it serves.
Meet our new Consultant Podiatric Surgeon at Woodland Hospital and Glendon Wood Hospital, Mr Ian Reilly. He is also an author and educator, having written papers and carried out extensive research in the podiatric field.
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