Is spinal anesthesia painful?

In general, spinal anesthesia—also known as intrathecal anesthesia—may or may not cause pain depending on the procedure technique and individual factors. The specific analysis is as follows:

If adequate local infiltration anesthesia is administered before the procedure, the puncture is performed smoothly, and the patient has a relatively high pain tolerance, spinal anesthesia usually does not cause significant pain. Local anesthetics block pain sensation in the skin and subcutaneous tissues at the puncture site; when the needle passes through, patients may only feel mild soreness or pressure, which most individuals can easily tolerate without experiencing severe pain.

However, if local infiltration anesthesia is insufficient, multiple needle repositionings are required during puncture, or the patient is highly sensitive to pain, more noticeable discomfort may occur during spinal anesthesia. The needle may stimulate inadequately anesthetized tissues or contact nearby nerves, potentially causing sharp or distending pain. The intensity of pain may increase with procedural difficulty or higher individual sensitivity.

Prior to spinal anesthesia, patients should honestly inform their doctor about their pain tolerance and previous anesthesia history. During the procedure, it is important to remain still and avoid sudden movements. Any discomfort should be promptly communicated to the medical team. After anesthesia, patients should follow medical instructions to rest in bed, monitor the puncture site for redness, swelling, or discharge, and immediately report any abnormal symptoms such as worsening back pain or numbness in the lower limbs to healthcare providers.