TX
A 18-year-old member asked:
Is it true if you get an epaderal you will have back problems?
8 doctor answers • 20 doctors weighed in
Dr. Pavel Conovalciucanswered
Family Medicine 24 years experience
Usually not: Despite a fairly common misconception of epidural causing back problems, there's no good proof that it does it. A traumatic epidural or erroneously performed one may cause more or less problem depending on the damage.
6.2k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Dr. Scott Roethleanswered
Anesthesiology 17 years experience
Rare long term: Epidurals are usually straight forward procedures for analgesia, done usuing a needle in the the back. There are very rare long term consequences of back pain or nerve damage. Expect bruise-like pain for several days afterwards, similar to a shot. But there should not be lasting nerve issues or pain after the epidural medication subsides. Persisting problems should be discussed with your doctor.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Grisolianswered
Anesthesiology 41 years experience
No: It should not cause back pain.
6.1k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Dr. Leslie Garsonanswered
Anesthesiology 40 years experience
Highly unlikely: Epidural anesthesia is administered by placing local anesthesia into an area outside of your spine called the epidural space. This is a common anesthetic used in millions of patients every year all over the world. It is also a very safe anesthetic. Back problems after an epidural anesthetic are highly unusual and should not be a concern.
6.1k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Dr. David Edsallanswered
Anesthesiology 48 years experience
Define problems: The epidural if many inches away from the disc and will not cause disc problems. It can cause a bruise on the bone or ligament. This can hurt and usually resolves in a few days it is like a bruise on your hand from the iv. R u worried it will cause a problem with your hand? 1in5, 000 will have nerve damage to one nerve. 99 out of 100 have no problems at all. 4999 out of 5000 no severe problems.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Dimitry Baranovanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Unlikely: Millions of patients get epidural anesthesia every year without any adverse consequences and with multiple benefits. However, there is a small percentage of patients who will develop various complications. Some of these are predictable due to per-existant patient's conditions, others can be due to poor technique and still others happen for unclear reasons.
6.1k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Dr. David Rosenfeldanswered
Pain Management 28 years experience
No: There us no evidence showing back pain after labor epidurals is any more prevalent than a delivery without one.
6k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Dr. Gabor Raczanswered
Anesthesiology 24 years experience
Not usually: You get it because you have back problems.
But choose your doctor carefully
look up the qualifications.
Your best protection is a good doctor.
5.9k viewsReviewed Aug 23, 2020
Last updated Aug 23, 2020
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