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What Causes Numbness And Pain In Leg After Taking Epidural For Lower Back Pain?

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Posted on Thu, 31 Jul 2014
Question: I received an epidural for lower back pain. As a result my leg is partially paralyzed and the pain is constant and almost unbearable. If I'm on my feet for 10 minutes, it takes five hours for the nerve to settle down. What pain/nerve medication should I be taking and what can be done to help the healing. Up until the epidural I walked three miles every day and now I can do no weight bearing activities. My entire life has caved in on me. Can you provide any direction that will reduce my pain and help me rejoin life. I am doing physical therapy three days a week.
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Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (2 days later)
Brief Answer:
phusio shall help

Detailed Answer:
It is very unusual to have this type of problem after an epidural.
But in case you have developed this problem you need to check if
1.the pain is more in your buttock region or your back
2. Have you been smoking for your previous life.
buttock pain is a part of another syndrome that is unmasked after epidural an restricts weight bearing and smoking causes ischemic pain.

In your case if the pain is too bad you shall do moderate day to day activities and get physio of Ultrasonic & TENS
You can also take an analgesic and muscle relaxation combo.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Rohit Gulati

Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 252 Questions

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What Causes Numbness And Pain In Leg After Taking Epidural For Lower Back Pain?

Brief Answer: phusio shall help Detailed Answer: It is very unusual to have this type of problem after an epidural. But in case you have developed this problem you need to check if 1.the pain is more in your buttock region or your back 2. Have you been smoking for your previous life. buttock pain is a part of another syndrome that is unmasked after epidural an restricts weight bearing and smoking causes ischemic pain. In your case if the pain is too bad you shall do moderate day to day activities and get physio of Ultrasonic & TENS You can also take an analgesic and muscle relaxation combo. Regards