Medical Malpractice and Spinal Epidurals

Spinal epidurals are fairly common, yet there are serious risks associated with them.

Many people suffer injuries due to the negligent actions of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other health care providers. Some unfortunate patients even lose their lives because of their doctor’s negligence. Many of the injuries caused by medical malpractice are quite serious and often require extensive and long-term medical treatment. Patients injured during surgery may require additional surgeries.

Mistakes That May Lead to Medical Malpractice

An injured patient may file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a health care provider only if the injury is a result of a medical mistake. Every medical procedure involves some kind of risk, but failure to inform the patient about the risks, and the inability to identify and act upon these risks could possibly lead to medical malpractice. One procedure that is sometimes prone to medical mistakes is a spinal epidural. The procedure is used to numb areas of the body that are to be operated upon. This ensures that the patient experiences no pain even though he or she is fully conscious.

What Is a Spinal Epidural?

The epidural space is the space outside the covering of the spinal cord. The epidural space runs along the length of the spine. The nerve roots in the spine and the spinal cord are covered by membrane known as dura. The nerves travel through the epidural space to the back and legs, and neck and arms. These nerve roots may become inflamed and cause pain due to the release of fluids, irritation of damaged disc, or from contact with a bony structure.

A spinal epidural procedure begins by giving a local anesthesia to the patient. A spinal needle or epidural is inserted into the epidural space of the thoracic, cervical, or lumbar nerve roots. A steroid and anesthetic are then injected in the epidural space. Risks associated with a spinal epidural procedure include:

• Leakage of cerebral-spinal fluid
• Broken catheters or needles
• Back pain
• Paralysis
• Abnormal reaction to drugs
• Epidural abscess or blood clot
• Severe headache
• Incomplete analgesia

There are times when a doctor fails to handle these risks appropriately and causes injury to the patient. Some of the injuries may have a life changing effect on the patient, such as meningitis and brain injury.

St. Louis Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If you or someone close to you has suffered injuries as a result of medical malpractice involving a spinal epidural procedure, you should immediately get in touch with an experienced St. Louis medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case.

Call the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200 today.