Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/1/2008

Question
Hello. I had to have an epidural and csection with my son in march 07. every since then i have had lower back pain so bad radiating down my left leg only and hurting when i turn my torso or neck. sometimes the pain is so bad when i stand up, sit down, or turn around that it takes my breath away. It is a constant pain that seems to get worse and worse. Do you have any ideas of what it could be?

Answer
It could be from 2 possible causes. Obviously if they had a problme placing the epidural, they could have injured the nerve. It could also be that during labor when the baby's head was down in the pelvis, it was putting pressure on the nerves. In either case, it should be checked out to make sure there is no other organic cause. You might want to see a neurosurgeon (or neurologist or pain specialist) so they can get the appropriate tests on you.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston