Orthopedic Surgery Expert Opines on Nerve Injury Following Epidural Injection

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onDecember 22, 2017

Orthopedic Surgery Expert Opines on Nerve Injury Following Epidural Injection

This case involves a middle aged male who was undergoing treatment for pain and inflammation in his lower back. The man was placed under general anesthesia and given an epidural injection of steroids in his lower back. After awaking from anesthesia, the man’s left hand was constricted into a fist, which he was unable to open. Despite ongoing treatment, the patients symptoms have not improved more than a year after the initial injury, despite assurances that it would be a temporary issue.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. How frequently do you treat patients undergoing cervical epidural spinal injections?

2. What are some typical causes of claw hand? How should it be prevented?

Expert Witness Response E-119718

inline imageI perform approximately 30 cervical epidural spinal injections per month and see approximately 100 patients per month who are a future candidate or have previously undergone a cervical epidural spinal injection. Claw hand is most likely to be caused by an injury to the C8 or T1 nerve root or to the lower trunks of the brachial plexus in the context of a cervical epidural spinal injection. A focal spinal epidural hematoma could potentially cause this complication depending on the route of entry and specific technique during the procedure. Direct needle trauma or intra-neural injection would also be a source of such injury. Preventing such potential sources of complication requires that minimal sedation is used such that the patient is alert and can warn the interventionalist if a paresthesia or excessive pain occurs, which typically indicate nerve trespass or that the needle tip is dangerously close to a nerve. Fluoroscopic guidance must be used and the injection of a contrast agent under live fluoroscopic observation is necessary. If a transforaminal epidural approach is used, particulate steroid agents must be avoided to prevent embolic injury to neural tissues.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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