Epidural Catheter Placement

A minimally invasive procedure to relieve various kinds of pain

The spine’s epidural space contains both the spinal cord and nerve roots that branch off from the spinal cord. In an epidural catheter placement, we guide a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the epidural space. This catheter is attached to a pump that delivers pain medications close to the spine’s nerves. Once the procedure is complete, you can control when you receive pain medication. This is called patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).

This procedure is similar to the epidural procedure used to relieve labor pains during childbirth, but we use epidural catheters to treat many different kinds of pain, including pain from:

• Broken ribs
• Cancer
• Surgical procedures (during and after surgery)

There is a small risk of complications from an epidural catheter placement. These complications can include:

• Headaches
• Nerve damage
• Infection

In addition, some patients can experience the following after an epidural catheter placement:

• Allergic reaction to pain medication
• Inadequate pain control
• Nausea or vomiting
• Numbness or weakness in the legs

Pain Management Service, Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center
159 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: 617-243-6142

What to Expect From Your Epidural Catheter Placement

When you arrive for your procedure, we’ll record the following vital health information:

• Allergies
• Blood pressure
• Brief health history
• Medications you’re currently taking
• Pulse
• Temperature
• Weight

It’s especially important to tell your nurse if you:

• Are allergic to contrast dye, Betadine (iodine), or latex
• Could be pregnant
• Currently take blood thinners

Next, you’ll discuss the procedure with your doctor and go into the X-ray room, where we’ll help you onto a table. Once you’re comfortable, we’ll clean your skin with an antiseptic and numb it with a local anesthetic. Next, your doctor will use X-ray guidance to place a small needle into the epidural space of your spine. We may use a small amount of contrast dye to make sure the needle is in the correct location.

Once the needle is in place, your doctor will guide the catheter through the needle and into the epidural space before removing the needle. Your doctor will then tape the catheter in place. The entire procedure will take about 20 minutes. After that, your pain-medication pump can be connected to your catheter to deliver pain medication into your spine.

If you still experience pain with an epidural catheter, let your nurse or doctor know. You may need to have your medication dosage adjusted for the best pain relief.

Talk to your doctor for more information about receiving a referral for an epidural catheter placement, or call us at 617-243-6142 to request an appointment.