Is it normal to have back pain after spinal anesthesia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had spinal anesthesia before my foot surgery. It has been more than a week since my operation, yet I still get severe backaches and discomfort in the back of my skull. I have discomfort after standing or sitting up for longer than five to ten minutes.

Is this normal?
I use painkillers to lessen the discomfort. Is it possible for me to develop long-term or nerve damage?
How should I proceed?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

The pain and suffering caused due to spinal injection is called post-dural spinal headache.

It happens very rarely due to a spinal needle. It causes stretching of the meninges and causes a spinal fluid leak. It is very rare nowadays, as anesthetists use thin gauge needles. Some measures that can help include:

1. Kindly hydrate yourself well, and drink at least three liters of fluids.

2. Painkillers will help. Try painkillers with caffeine in addition. Maybe when you have a headache, coffee also works.

3. There should be adequate bed rest for at least three days.

4. It will slowly subside and needs time to heal and stop the leakage of spinal fluid.

5. Adequate hydration after surgery is very important, it has been missed.

6. If pain persists for one week after these measures, kindly consult an anesthetist who treats this persisting pain. You may need an epidural blood patch.

I definitely recommend not going to the anesthetist who did spinal anesthesia, maybe a senior anesthetist at a referral center.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.