“Is epidural anesthesia painful?”

it doesn't have to be

Getting the epidural can cause some discomfort, mainly from the local anesthetic used to numb the skin at the site of entry for the epidural needle. After that, the sensation is usually limited to some pressure. Once the epidural is in place there should not be any more discomfort other than from some tape on the skin. Most people think getting an IV is worse than getting an epidural.

Having an epidural will be PAINFUL during surgery!



Yi-Hwa Outerbridge, MD

Epidural anesthesia should provide complete pain relief from the surgery. It requires the placement of tiny catheter into the epidural space which is outside the dura which covers the spinal cord. The catheter is placed after the epidural space is located with an introducer needle. It takes a skillful person to place the introducer between the vertebrae. Usually some mild seductive is given and the skin and deeper tissues are numbed up with local anesthetic. Once the catheter is placed more numbing medication is put through the catheter until you are numb to the specific level needed. Epidurals are used frequently for labor and sometimes c-sections. Sometimes used as sole anesthetic or for post op pain in conjunction with general anesthesia. It all depends on type of surgery

No. An epidural is about as painful as getting an iv in your hand. The anesthesiologist numbs the area in your back first.

No, you might feel pulling and tagging.No pain. Also, light sedation will help you to relax.

Generally speaking, it is not a painful procedure. Most patients have some mild discomfort when the skin and tissue just below the skin are injected with lidocaine to create numbness, but this is done with a very thin needle and it takes a matter of seconds. Once the skin is numbed up, most feel just pressure for the rest of the procedure.