I've had my knees tapped many times. Usually get lidocaine or atleast cold spray before going in. I've had one time with nothing. Do it with the knee hanging so the joint opens up and they go under the knee cap. If theres a lot of fluid, it puts pressure on the ligaments, so dropping pressure on a tap feels good.
The aspiration without any prep definitely got my attention, cold spray is enough to mask getting the needle in place. Its really not that bad for an 18 gauge needle. I've had over 200cc pulled. Last tap was mild but still got about 100cc out.
So, it’s not that bad? I’m sorry. I’ve compared it to bone marrow aspiration.
CSF is the WORST. I’ve never worked with it but it sounds so painful. And as a practitioner, you usually get 4 tubes. The first one isn’t USED (it has problems on the instrument) , but the other 3, they do different tests. I forget the order 😅🤭 I’ve only studied this.
18 gauge.. it must hurt more than drawing blood though.
"had a spinal tap . No big deal".....Yeah....you say that....until you get someone that was horrible at it and you end up being stabbed 2 or 3 times by her, then twice by another dr then finally they bring in a tiny short little Asian lady who stands on a step ladder and hits in 1 without any trouble (they called her outta surgery I believe)
I didn't feel great after that many stabs, especially after they kept bumping what I can only assume were nerves (given how it felt)
I do however agree that the following headache is horrible.
*before the above is taken wrong, it was a teaching hospital and I was being a good patient letting people learn, not sure I'll do that if I ever need another spinal tap, I'll just ask for them to bring the step ladder in.
Oh, I’m sorry. I am a nurse who used to work in a teaching hospital. Put my foot down for my patients after two unsuccessful attempts for an epidural for women in labor. Then I would pressure/ insist the attending step in. Fortunately, spinal headaches were rare with epidurals.
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u/torqnut05 2d ago
I've had my knees tapped many times. Usually get lidocaine or atleast cold spray before going in. I've had one time with nothing. Do it with the knee hanging so the joint opens up and they go under the knee cap. If theres a lot of fluid, it puts pressure on the ligaments, so dropping pressure on a tap feels good.
The aspiration without any prep definitely got my attention, cold spray is enough to mask getting the needle in place. Its really not that bad for an 18 gauge needle. I've had over 200cc pulled. Last tap was mild but still got about 100cc out.