“Why does my back still hurt after an epidural?”
I am a 26 year old female. My back still hurts after the epidural. What could be the cause?
2 Answers
Back pain at/near the injection site following an epidural injection is fairly common and may have several causes, including:
(1) The anesthetic agents injected were not effective in treating the pre-existing back pain (when the injection is provided for a chronic pain condition)
(2) Trauma to the soft tissues near the epidural needle insertion site (as with any needle insertion).
(3) Trauma to a nerve/nerve plexus.
(4) Bleeding/hematoma near the epidural needle insertion site.
(5) Infection/abscess near the epidural needle insertion site.
In the absence of fever/chills/new-onset motor weakness/changes in bowel or bladder function, most patients can be observed and expected to improve in days to weeks without aggressive intervention. In a patient with new-onset fever/chills/motor weakness/changes in bowel or bladder function, emergent evaluation should be sought.
(1) The anesthetic agents injected were not effective in treating the pre-existing back pain (when the injection is provided for a chronic pain condition)
(2) Trauma to the soft tissues near the epidural needle insertion site (as with any needle insertion).
(3) Trauma to a nerve/nerve plexus.
(4) Bleeding/hematoma near the epidural needle insertion site.
(5) Infection/abscess near the epidural needle insertion site.
In the absence of fever/chills/new-onset motor weakness/changes in bowel or bladder function, most patients can be observed and expected to improve in days to weeks without aggressive intervention. In a patient with new-onset fever/chills/motor weakness/changes in bowel or bladder function, emergent evaluation should be sought.
90% of the world's population will develop back problems at some point in their lives and studies have shown that it has nothing to do with the epidural. Being in labor, stretching out ligaments, delivering a baby can all contribute as can the usual wear and tear.
