How Long Does It Take To Replenish Spinal Fluid After A Spinal Tap

A lumbar puncture is where a thin needle is inserted betwixt the bones in your lower spine. It should not exist painful, but you may have a headache and some dorsum hurting for a few days.

Information technology's carried out in infirmary by a doctor or specialist nurse.

When a lumbar puncture may be needed

A lumbar puncture may be used to:

take a sample of fluid from your spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) or measure the fluid'due south pressure – to help diagnose a status
inject medicine – such as painkillers, antibiotics or chemotherapy
inject a spinal anaesthetic – to numb the lower office of your body before an functioning
remove some fluid to reduce pressure in the skull or spine

Before having a lumbar puncture

Your doctor or nurse should explain what's going to happen and why you demand a lumbar puncture.

A few days or weeks earlier the test:

you lot may have a CT scan or MRI browse – to brand sure y'all need the lumbar puncture and it's safe to have one
let the hospital know if y'all're taking claret-thinning medicine (anticoagulants) – such as warfarin

On the mean solar day:

yous can consume, beverage and take medicine as normal
you'll be asked to sign a consent form
you'll usually need to undress and change into a infirmary gown before the procedure – you might as well want to employ the toilet

What happens during a lumbar puncture

A person lying on their side for a lumbar puncture — You normally prevarication on your side, with your legs pulled up and your chin tucked in

A needle going into the spine for a lumbar puncture — This allows the needle to exist inserted between the bones more hands

The doctor or nurse volition:

Clean your skin and numb the area with local anaesthetic (y'all'll exist awake during the procedure). Children may also be given medicine to help them relax and keep however.
Insert a thin needle through the peel, between 2 bones in the lower part of your spine. This should not be painful, merely y'all may feel some pressure.
Remove the needle once the procedure is finished and use a small plaster or dressing.

How long does a lumbar puncture take?

A lumbar puncture takes around 30 to 45 minutes, but you'll need to stay lying downwards at the infirmary for at to the lowest degree another hour while the nurses monitor you lot.

You'll be able to get home the same day if yous feel well enough, but you lot would not exist able to drive yourself abode.

Getting the results

The doctor or nurse who performs the lumbar puncture can oftentimes tell you some of the results direct abroad and explain what they mean.

You may need to look for at least 48 hours for the total results. Some laboratory exam results are available within a couple of hours in an emergency.

Side effects of a lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture is generally a safe procedure and serious side effects are uncommon.

The most common side effects are:

headaches, which can final for upwardly to a calendar week – you'll exist given painkillers at the hospital if you need them
swelling and lower back hurting where the needle was inserted – this should become better on its own after a few days and is normally zilch to worry almost

Recovering from a lumbar puncture

While you're recovering from a lumbar puncture:

Practise

drink plenty of fluids
take painkillers, such as paracetamol
lie down instead of sitting upright
try drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea or cola – some people find this helps to relieve the headaches
remove the dressing or plaster yourself the side by side day

Don't

do not operate mechanism for at to the lowest degree 24 hours – you may also be told not to bulldoze for at least 24 hours
do not play sport or practise any strenuous activities for at least a week

Non-urgent communication: Contact the infirmary squad or a GP if:

your headaches are astringent or do not go away
you're feeling or being sick
you accept a very loftier temperature or feel hot and shivery
it's painful to look at brilliant lights
the swelling in your dorsum lasts for more than a few days or keeps getting worse
you see blood or articulate fluid leaking from your back

What nosotros mean by severe pain

Astringent pain:: always there and and so bad information technology's hard to recollect or talk

you cannot slumber

it's very hard to movement, get out of bed, get to the bath, wash or dress
Moderate pain:: ever there

makes information technology hard to concentrate or sleep

you can manage to become upwardly, wash or dress
Mild hurting:: comes and goes

is annoying but does not terminate yous doing daily activities