Online Patient and Caregiver Resource Library
This resource library was created by health care professionals at St. Joseph's Health Care London. Our aim is to connect you
and your family with the information and tools you need. Here, you can search for information by the program, title, or topic.
At this time we are piloting resources for two areas of care: Pain Management and Spinal Cord Injury. We will
be assessing the user experience with these resources over the coming weeks, which will help to inform our
process for building content and expanding the resource library to additional areas of care. Resources that
appear in the library are developed guided by the principles of patient and caregiver engagement and co-design.
Search Trusted Health Information
60 Search Results:
Facet Joint Injection
Handouts
This is a handout to explain that a facet join injection can be used to help diagnose the cause and location of pain or to treat pain related to facet joint dysfunction. Facet joint injections can be performed in the neck (cervical), upper back (thoracic), or lower back (lumbar). The exact location at which the procedure is performed at depends on where your pain is coming from. It involves the administration of a local anesthetic (when done as a diagnostic procedure) or a mixture of local anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory medication known as a steroid (when done for treatment purposes).
Fluoroscopy Post-Procedure Instructions
Handouts
This is a handout to describe what you need to do after having a Fluoroscopy Procedure.
Fluoroscopy Pre-Procedure Instructions
Handouts
This is a handout to describe what you need to do before having a Fluoroscopy Procedure.
Fluoroscopy suite fact sheets - Arabic
Handouts
Arabic language fact sheets for the Fluoroscopy Suite including pre and post procedure instructions, epidural steroid, facet joint and sacroiliac joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and stellate ganglion block.
Gabapentin (Neurontin®)
Handouts
This is a handout to explain that Gabapentin is used to treat pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain). It works by dampening the pain signals sent through the body’s nervous system and can also be used in the treatment of seizure disorders.
Gardening when you have chronic pain
Handouts
Headache Diary
Handouts
This diary is intended to be used every day to capture information that can help you and your doctor better understand and manage your migraine headaches.
Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin®) for Upper Limb Spasticity
Handouts
What is spasticity and how is it typically treated? Spasticity is a neuromuscular condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone, making the affected body parts stiff and difficult to move. Spasticity is a symptom associated with damage to the brain and/or spinal cord through conditions such as stroke, brain trauma or tumour, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, etc. The presentation of spasticity can range from mild and barely noticeable to very bothersome, which can interfere with daily functioning, hygiene and comfort. Botulinum toxin...
IV Ketamine Infusion
Handouts
This is a handout to explain that Ketamine is a medication most commonly used as an anesthetic during surgical procedures. At lower doses, ketamine is used to treat certain types of nerve pain that have not responded to other pain management approaches. The most common condition for which IV (intravenous) ketamine infusions are used in the pain clinic is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
IV Lidocaine Infusion
Handouts
This is a handout to explain that a IV Lidocaine Infusion is a local anesthetic used to treat certain nerve pain conditions when the usual nerve pain medications or interventions were unsuccessful. This could be due to a lack of effectiveness or side effects.
Lamotrigine Fact Sheet
Handouts
This is a fact sheet for Lamotrigine (Lamictal), a drug commonly used to manage epilepsy. This sheet outlines why this medication is prescribed, how it should be used, special precautions, side effects and storage requirements.
Low-Dose Naltrexone
Handouts
What is naltrexone? Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, etc. Naltrexone was developed to treat opioid addiction. A standard dose to treat opioid addiction is typically 50 mg once daily. A standard dose of naltrexone is also used to treat alcohol dependence, although we do not fully understand how it works to reduce the urge or desire to drink alcohol.
Lumbar Sympathetic Block
Handouts
This is a patient information sheet about a local anesthetic called Lumbar Sympathetic Block. It explains what the procedure is, why it's done, how to prepare, what to expect during and after the procedure, and any potential side effects.
Medication Use and Safe Driving
Handouts
This is a handout to learn about how some prescription and over the counter medicines can interfere with your ability to drive safely.
Nabilone (Cesamet®)
Handouts
This is a handout to learn about Nabilone, which is a synthetic cannabinoid made by the pharmaceutical industry. It is similar to marijuana (the natural plant) in its actions, but usually has less effect on mood. Nabilone is typically used to treat severe nausea and vomiting associated with certain types of cancer chemotherapy and can be used to stimulate appetite. Nabilone is also used to treat chronic nerve related pain.
Nortriptyline (Aventyl®)
Handouts
This is a handout to explain how Nortriptyline treats pain by increasing the concentrations of chemical messengers in the nervous system to reduce the pain messages arriving in the brain. The pain is usually described as burning, tingling, shooting, or numb. This medication can be used to treat fibromyalgia and prevent migraine headaches.
NSAIDs Fact Sheet
Handouts
Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox®) for Upper and Lower Limb Spasticity
Handouts
What is spasticity and how is it typically treated? Spasticity is a neuromuscular condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone, making the affected body parts stiff and difficult to move. Spasticity is a symptom associated with damage to the brain and/or spinal cord through conditions such as stroke, brain trauma or tumour, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, etc. The presentation of spasticity can range from mild and barely noticeable to very bothersome, which can interfere with daily functioning, hygiene and comfort. Botulinum toxin...
Opioid Pain Medicines Information Sheet for Patients
Handouts
Information sheet about opioids/narcotics that outlines the importance of managing pain control to avoid dangerous side effects, and the signs of overdose
Opioid Patient Booklet
Handouts
A booklet for people who may benefit from reducing or stopping their opioid medication.