Back pain 6 months after an epidural is uncommon but can stem from rare complications like nerve irritation/damage, epidural hematoma, infection, or scar tissue (epidural fibrosis) pressing on nerves, requiring medical evaluation. More commonly, it's due to postpartum body changes (pelvic shifts, weight gain, new lifting/feeding postures) that strain back muscles and ligaments, sometimes confused with the procedure. It's crucial to see a doctor to rule out serious issues like nerve impingement or infection, especially if you have numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Epidural anesthesia can cause long-term back pain if nerves are damaged, an infection develops, or the spinal cord is injured during the procedure. Persistent pain may result from improper needle placement, epidural abscess, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
Complications of epidural typically last no more than a few hours to a few days. However, some people report experiencing long-term or permanent side effects from epidurals. Though rare, some patients report living with chronic pain due to nerve root or spinal cord damage at the site of injection.
Permanent nerve damage
In rare cases, an epidural can lead to permanent loss of feeling or movement in, for example, 1 or both legs. The causes are: direct damage to the spinal cord from the epidural needle or catheter.
One of the most common issues is poor or uneven pain relief, especially if the medication doesn't fully reach the intended area. Severe headaches. Spinal headaches, or post-dural puncture headaches, can occur if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from the puncture site.
In its mildest form you can get a small numb area or an area of 'pins and needles' on your skin. There may be areas of your body that feel strange and painful. Weakness may occur in one or more muscles. and/or loss of control of the bowel or bladder.
Reach out to your doctor right away if you experience any of the following: Severe or worsening pain not improving with rest or medication. Numbness or weakness in your legs. Loss of bowel or bladder control (a potential sign of nerve damage)
The signs of nerve damage include the following:
Can epidural injections cause or worsen sciatica? Epidural injections are meant to treat sciatica but can sometimes make symptoms worse temporarily. Rare complications like arachnoiditis or nerve injury can also occur. These might lead to persistent or worsened sciatica.
There's a common belief that getting an epidural will lead to back pain, but it's very rare for an epidural to cause long-term or chronic back problems. It's normal to experience temporary back pain or tenderness at the site of your epidural. This usually goes away within a few days.
You can sue for an epidural injury if your medical records and other documentation point to medical negligence as a cause for your injuries. You may be able to hold the doctor, anesthesiologist, another medical professional, or the hospital responsible for the injuries you or your baby suffered.
Most patients do not feel anything other than a warm sensation in their legs or buttocks as the spinal anaesthetic takes effect. Occasionally, pins and needles or an electric sensation may be felt as the spinal needle brushes next to a nerve.
Chronic back pain can be caused by a number of things, such as painful discs, sacroiliac joint pain, or facet joint arthrosis. Other common causes of chronic back pain are the physical changes that occur during pregnancy. These changes coupled with the birthing process can put a lot of strain on your back.
Staying active
Rest helps you recover right after receiving an epidural, but you should plan to reintroduce moderate activity fairly quickly. Gentle activities like walking or swimming can help maintain flexibility, strengthen your back muscles, and prevent stiffness as your epidural gets to work.
Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain is usually age-related, but it can also result from an injury. The most common causes include: Arthritis of the spine — the gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine. Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to nerve pain.
Some people get lower back pain after an epidural injection. It may feel like pressure, tightness, or pain that moves to the hips or legs. This happens because of swelling, tight muscles, or nerve irritation. The pain can be hard, but there are ways to feel better.
These could be signs of nerve damage from an epidural:
Numbness or a lack of sensation in the legs. Persistent pain in the lower back or limbs. Tingling sensations, often described as pins and needles. Weakness affecting mobility or muscle control.
Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.
Severe unremitting pain that remains when the person is supine or at rest, aching night pain that prevents or disturbs sleep, pain aggravated by straining (for example, at stool, or when coughing or sneezing), and thoracic pain. Mechanical pain (aggravated by standing, sitting or moving). Localized spinal tenderness.
B vitamins like B12, B6, B3, B1 are essential for nerve health. These vitamins can help with the healing of nerve damage and relieve nerve damage symptoms like numbness and tingling—this is why they are called 'neurotropic' vitamins.
EMG and nerve conduction studies are used to help check for many kinds of muscle and nerve disorders. An EMG test helps find out if muscles are responding the right way to nerve signals. Nerve conduction studies help to check for nerve damage or disease.
General Symptoms of Nerve Compression
These can include a sharp, aching, or burning pain that may originate in one area and radiate outward. Individuals may also experience numbness or a reduced sense of feeling in the affected area, as if it has been “shut down”.
Though rare, improper needle placement during an epidural injection can lead to chronic back pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. In these cases, the needle hits the spinal cord, a nerve, or a collection of nerves, leading to irritation and damage.
Cervical spine infections cause neck pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Intervertebral disc space infections lead to severe back pain, fever, chills, weight loss, muscle spasms, and painful or difficult urination. Spinal canal infections often produce severe back pain, tenderness, and fever.
Harlequin syndrome is a rare complication related to blockade of facial sympathetic input that can occur secondary to thoracic epidural anaesthesia. [3] This syndrome causes unilateral flushing, hyperhidrosis and occasional ipsilateral pupillary miosis.