Definition
Puncture refers to the targeted pricking to obtain a sample, a so-called “pointate”. In medicine, punctures are used in many places, both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A puncture can include simple blood sampling, artificial insemination, and the collection of samples of suspicious tissue. Even though puncture with thin needles is often only a minor physical intervention, there is always a risk of complications such as inflammation due to the injury of the skin barrier. Pain after a puncture is also not uncommon, as it is always an invasive procedure that involves minor tissue damage.
Causes of the pain
The pain that follows a puncture can have numerous causes. Since it is a small invasive procedure, minimal wound pain on the skin and underlying tissues is not uncommon. If an organ or bone is punctured, pain may also occur here due to a small tissue injury.
However, this should subside after a short time. In particular, bones or some abdominal organs are additionally surrounded by a capsule or a very pain-sensitive sheath, so that pain can already occur during the puncture. Apart from the harmless wound pain, there may also be more severe pain as a result of complications.
This often involves injury to smaller blood vessels or nerve tracts. If smaller blood vessels are damaged, the puncture site may bleed into the bloodstream, causing swelling, redness and pressure pain. Minor nerve damage can in turn be accompanied by electrifying, unpleasant pain.
Depending on the location of the puncture, even large nerves can be damaged. In most cases, the pain occurs during the puncture itself. Inflammation is a rare complication. Via the small puncture canal, pathogens can get under the skin and cause a reaction there, which causes pain, redness and overheating. However, this complication can be prevented in almost all cases by prior disinfection.
Pain after a lumbar puncture
Pain after a lumbar puncture is a common complication. If desired, a local anesthetic can be administered before the lumbar puncture begins or an anaesthetic ointment can be applied to the skin. The skin and muscle layers of the back are relatively thick, which is why the tissue injuries caused by the puncture needle are more severe.
The needle used for lumbar puncture is also thicker than many other puncture needles. When entering the spinal canal, especially the sensitive meninges can be painfully irritated. During lumbar puncture, a small amount of the so-called “liquor” is removed.
This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and supplies it with nutrients. The puncture and removal of the fluid can cause a negative pressure in the fluid spaces, which can result in headaches, nausea and vomiting. Increased drinking before the lumbar puncture can reduce the symptoms. The headache usually resolves itself within a few days.
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