What happens if they hit a nerve during epidural?

The needle or epidural tube can damage nerves, but this is uncommon. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling or movement in parts of your lower body. The most common symptom is a small, numb area with normal movement and strength. This usually gets better after a few days or weeks, but can sometimes take months.

Is nerve damage from injection permanent?

Nerve damage is a rare complication of spinal or epidural injections. Nerve damage is usually temporary. Permanent nerve damage resulting in paralysis (loss of the use of one or more limbs) is very rare. More figures are given at the end of this section.

What are the chances of permanent nerve damage from epidural?

Permanent damage to nerves is very rare. The risk of longer-lasting problems after a spinal or epidural injection is: Permanent harm occurs between 1 in 23,500 and 1 in 50,500 spinal or epidural injections.

How long does nerve damage take to heal?

If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of ‘rest’ following your injury. Some people notice continued improvement over many months.

Can you get nerve damage from an epidural injection?

If the epidural or spinal injection is needed more urgently then you may not be able to have the spinal or epidural injection – in which case you will be advised on an alternative. Most infections related to a spinal injection or an epidural are local skin infections and do not cause nerve damage.

What causes pins and Needles after an epidural?

This can occur if the epidural or spinal needle or the epidural catheter damages a single nerve, a group of nerves or the spinal cord. Contact with a nerve may cause ‘pins and needles’ or a brief shooting pain. This does not mean that the nerve is damaged, but if the needle is not repositioned, damage can occur.

When to get an epidural injection for spinal pain?

If you have intense, difficult-to-treat pain in your legs or arms from inflamed spinal nerves, then an epidural steroid injection might give you quick relief. Often, nerve passages from the spine to your arms or legs become narrowed, causing this pain. This narrowing can cause inflammation of the spinal nerves.

Can a needle in the spinal cord damage a nerve?

Direct injury The epidural or spinal needle or the epidural catheter may, rarely, damage a single nerve, a group of nerves or the spinal cord. Contact with a nerve may cause ‘pins and needles’ or a shooting pain. This doesn’t mean that the nerve is damaged; however, damage may occur if the needle is not immediately moved to another position.