IV Infiltration Injury- Symptoms of Nerve Damage From An IV

Gregg Hollander | July 9, 2025 | Medical Malpractice

Infiltration is not a common complication of an intravenous (IV) line. It can cause a range of symptoms, from irritation to tissue death, when it happens.

IV infiltration could entitle you to damages for medical malpractice. These damages would cover your medical expenses to treat the IV infiltration, lost income, and the pain and suffering resulting from the complication.

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Here are some facts about IV infiltration and how it causes nerve damage, burns, amputation, and other severe consequences.

How Do IV Lines Work? 

An IV line includes a catheter that delivers drugs directly into your bloodstream. 

Doctors choose IV administration of drugs for several reasons:

  • Drugs work quickly
  • Drugs enter the bloodstream without alteration by the digestive system
  • IVs administer drugs over time
  • IVs administer drugs in small doses

Nurses often set up the IV line. They insert a needle into a vein in your hand, wrist, or elbow. The nurse uses the needle to guide a catheter into your vein, then removes the needle. The catheter includes a fitting that attaches to an IV bag or syringe holding the medication.

What is IV Infiltration & Can An IV Cause Nerve Damage?

IV infiltration happens when medication infuses into the tissue surrounding the IV site instead of going into the vein. IV infiltration happens in about 10% of IV treatments.

IV infiltration can happen for a few reasons, including:

  • Medication leaks around the catheter into the surrounding tissue
  • The catheter slips out of the vein
  • The needle pushes through the vein, leaving a hole where the medication can leak from the vein
  • Medication passes through the vein wall into the tissue

In some cases, IV infiltration is fairly harmless. The nurse monitoring the patient will notice the signs of IV infiltration and take steps to address them.

Symptoms of Nerve Damage from IV Infiltration

Nerve damage resulting from IV infiltration can manifest through various symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, long-term effects. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to prevent permanent damage.

Common Symptoms

  • Tingling or “Pins and Needles” Sensation: Often the first sign, indicating nerve irritation.
  • Numbness: Loss of sensation in the affected area.
  • Burning Pain: A sharp, intense pain that may radiate from the IV site.
  • Weakness: Difficulty moving the affected limb or digits.
  • Muscle Spasms: Involuntary contractions of muscles near the IV site.
  • Loss of Dexterity: Impaired ability to perform fine motor tasks.
  • Temperature Sensitivity Changes: Altered perception of hot or cold in the affected area.
  • Skin Discoloration: Paleness or redness around the IV insertion site.
  • Coolness of Skin: A sensation of coldness in the affected area.

Severe Symptoms

In rare cases, if left untreated, nerve damage can lead to:

  • Paralysis: Loss of muscle function in the affected area.
  • Chronic Pain: Persistent pain that may be difficult to manage.
  • Permanent Disability: Long-term impairment affecting daily activities.

Immediate Actions

If you experience any of the above symptoms during or after an IV procedure:

  • Seek Evaluation: A healthcare professional can assess the severity and recommend appropriate treatment.y looking at the medication. The fluid pressure in the catheter from IV infiltration can cause the flow to slow down or stop.
  • Notify Healthcare Provider Immediately: Prompt reporting can lead to timely intervention.
  • Request Immediate Removal of the IV: To prevent further nerve compression or damage.

Treating IV Infiltration

A doctor or nurse can treat IV infiltration by removing the catheter. The healthcare provider will recommend hot or cold compresses depending on the medication. They will elevate the limb and may administer additional medicine to reduce the swelling.

Over time, your body should absorb the infiltrated medication and reduce the swelling.

IV Infiltration – Can an IV Cause Nerve Damage?

Yes, intravenous (IV) procedures can lead to nerve damage, though such complications are relatively uncommon. When an IV catheter is improperly inserted or becomes dislodged, the medication intended for the vein may leak into surrounding tissues—a condition known as IV infiltration. This leakage can exert pressure on nearby nerves, leading to symptoms such as:

Burns

Some medications can irritate and inflame soft tissue. Burns happen when a chemical reaction damages or destroys cells. Depending on the medicine, it can react with the muscle, fat, and skin tissue, causing burns.

Nerve Damage – Numbness and Tingling In Hand After IV

Neurotoxic medications, like anesthetics, can damage nerves when they leak from a vein. 

In many cases, doctors cannot treat this type of nerve damage, and you will experience lifelong symptoms such as:

  • Pain
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Weakness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Loss of dexterity
  • Loss of sensitivity to temperature or pressure

The location of these symptoms will depend on where the IV infiltration occurred. For example, if your catheter was inserted into the back of your hand, you may experience symptoms in your hand and fingers, but not further up your arm.

Compartment Syndrome

The most severe consequence of IV infiltration is compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome happens when your tissue swells so much that it squeezes your blood vessels.

Every cell in your body needs oxygen to survive. When swelling cuts off your circulation, your cells die.

Doctors can try to relieve the swelling. But if they cannot restore circulation, they may recommend amputation.

In more severe cases, nerve damage may result in permanent loss of sensation or function in the affected area. If you experience any of these symptoms following an IV insertion, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly.

Medical Malpractice and IV Infiltration Caused Nerve Damage

Medical malpractice requires you to prove that your healthcare professional failed to provide reasonable care under the circumstances. Not every medical error constitutes medical malpractice.

A nurse could accidentally cause IV infiltration without acting negligently. But if the nurse fails to monitor you or treat you when the symptoms appear, the nurse may have acted negligently. 

If you’ve suffered complications due to IV infiltration, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to see if you have a valid claim for damages. 

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm in South Florida

If you’ve been injured in a malpractice accident your search for “experienced medical malpractice attorneys near me” can stop here with Hollander Law. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:

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