That sounds like the person doing the epidural wasn't skilled in what he was doing. The guy who did my 2 used fluoroscopy to make sure the needle was placed correctly, there was no issue with that. When he put in the solution, there was a feeling of pressure, but no pain. But, I had 2 injections (one Transforamenal, the other Caudal), and neither helped. When I went for the third, he said since the first 2 didn't work, the third would be meaningless and that surgery was my best option (for what I had, it was). Surgery WAS the best option.

Remember, Epdural means "on the outside" or "above" the dural sheath, so the nerve should not be hit directly! The goal is to bathe the area in an anti-inflammatory agent to hopefully lessen the swelling and thus lessen the pain.

I did a lot of research on the guy who did my Epidurals, and asked a lot of questions. He was VERY happy to see a patient so interested in their Dr. and was more than pleased to answer all my questions.