4 doctors in India — verified profiles, ratings, fees and clinic or online consultation.
Looking for a doctor for Epidural in India? Browse 4 verified doctors who perform Epidural — compare specialities, qualifications, patient ratings and consultation fees, and book a clinic or online appointment that suits you.
MS – Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Orthopedics
Dr. Mayukh Mukherjee is an experienced Orthopedic and Fellowship-trained Spine Surgeon who entered the medical field in 2012. He holds multiple prestigious q…
Dr Dheeraj Kumar MBBS, MD, FIPM, FIAPM
Pain management
I'm a consultant pain physician specialised in treatment chronic pain and sports injuries. I always keep myself updated with latest guidelines for utmost car…
Joint Replacement & Orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic Spine Surgeons
Dr Arun Rathod is an Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon in Shivamogga specializing in knee pain, arthritis, fractures, sports injuries, ACL tears, spine…
Senior Consultant Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement & Sports injuries
Orthopedics
Orthopedic Spine Surgeons
Orthopedic Surgeons
Dr. Anupam is an alumnus of India’s most prestigious medical institution, AIIMS, New Delhi. His extensive experience, clinical acumen, and empathetic approac…
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An epidural block (also called an extradural block) is a common medical procedure used to relieve pain by temporarily blocking nerve signals. It involves injecting a local anaesthetic medicine into the epidural space, an area just outside the membrane that covers the spinal cord. This helps prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Epidurals are widely used during labour and childbirth, certain types of surgery, and for pain relief in the lower back, hips, legs, or pelvis.
Epidural/extradural blocks are considered safe when performed by experienced medical professionals and when proper precautions are taken. Like other medical procedures, understanding how it works, when it’s used, and what to expect helps reduce anxiety and ensures better care.
An epidural/extradural block may be recommended for people who:
- Are in labour and want pain relief during childbirth
- Need surgical pain control for procedures in the lower body
- Have chronic back or leg pain not responsive to other treatments
- Require pain relief for orthopaedic surgery (hip or knee)
- Are undergoing a caesarean section (in certain cases)
- Need regional pain control with minimal sedation
- Have conditions where full anaesthesia may be risky
A doctor assesses your health history, symptoms, and medical needs before recommending an epidural block.
There are a few variations, depending on purpose and technique:
1. Labour Epidural
Used in childbirth to reduce pain during labour and delivery, while allowing the mother to remain awake and participate in the birthing process.
2. Surgical Epidural
Used for pain control during or after lower abdominal, pelvic, or limb surgery.
3. Continuous Epidural
A catheter (thin tube) is placed in the epidural space so medicines can be given continuously or in repeated doses over time.
4. Single-Dose Epidural
Single injection for short procedures where continuous pain relief is not required.
The type chosen depends on how long pain relief is needed and the specific medical situation.
The epidural/extradural block procedure is done by an anaesthesia specialist in a hospital or surgical centre. Steps include:
1. Preparation and Positioning
You may be asked to sit or lie on your side with the back curved forward. This opens the spaces between the vertebrae (back bones). A blood pressure cuff, oxygen monitor, and heart monitor are placed.
2. Cleaning and Local Numbing
The skin over the lower back is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A small amount of local anaesthetic is injected into the skin to numb the area.
3. Needle Placement
A special needle is gently inserted between the bones of the lower spine into the epidural space. You may feel pressure, but usually no sharp pain.
4. Catheter Insertion (if needed)
For continuous pain relief, a thin catheter (tube) is threaded through the needle into the epidural space. The needle is removed, leaving the catheter in place.
5. Injection of Anaesthetic
Once the needle or catheter is in the right place, the anaesthetic medicine (sometimes with a small amount of opioid pain reliever) is given. The catheter can be used to give more medicine as needed.
6. Monitoring
Your blood pressure, heart rate, and comfort level are monitored throughout the procedure and afterwards.
The whole procedure usually takes about 10–30 minutes.
After an epidural/extradural block:
- You may feel numbness or warmth in the lower part of your body.
- Pain relief begins within minutes and may continue for hours.
- If a catheter is used, medicines may be given over time for ongoing pain control.
- You may need to lie still for a while after the procedure so the medicine works well.
For labour epidurals, nurses and doctors monitor the mother and baby closely. For surgical or chronic pain epidurals, vitals are watched until the effect stabilises.
Once the anaesthetic wears off, sensation and movement return gradually. You can usually resume normal activity as advised by your doctor, but you may need help walking until sensation fully returns.
Epidural/extradural blocks are generally safe, but some risks include:
- Low blood pressure shortly after the injection
- Headache (rare but may occur if the needle accidentally punctures the covering of the spinal cord)
- Temporary numbness or weakness
- Difficulty urinating until the block wears off
- Minor bleeding or infection at the injection site
- Allergic reaction to medicines used
Serious complications are rare when the procedure is done by trained professionals in a monitored setting.
If you experience severe headache, fever, uncontrolled pain, or weakness lasting longer than expected, seek medical attention.
An epidural block is a procedure where anaesthetic medicine is injected near the spinal cord to block pain from nerves, often used during childbirth or surgery.
Yes. When done by trained doctors with proper monitoring, epidural blocks are considered safe. Like any medical procedure, there are some risks, but serious problems are rare.
A small sting or pressure may be felt when the local numbing medicine is given, but the main epidural injection usually causes only mild discomfort.
It is commonly used during active labour when contractions become strong and regular, and the mother requests pain relief.
While the anaesthetic effect is present, movement may be limited. Once the effect wears off and after the doctor's advice, normal movement returns.
The effect lasts as long as the medicine is in place. With a catheter, medicines can be given continuously for several hours as needed.
Yes, many people with back pain receive epidurals. The doctor evaluates your condition to ensure it is safe and helpful.
In most cases, the epidural does not harm the baby. Doctors closely monitor both mother and baby during labour.
