What are the risks or negatives of an epidural injection? Epidural injections, commonly used for pain relief during childbirth and certain surgeries, have a few potential negatives. One is a spinal headache, which occurs if the needle accidentally punctures the dura, causing cerebrospinal fluid to leak. Another rare risk is infection, but this is minimized as doctors always perform the procedure under sterile conditions. Overall, while these risks exist, they are generally minimal thanks to the