Can lumbar tap cause back and leg pain?

Spinal Tap Symptoms: A spinal tap can cause low back pain from trauma to the muscle and other tissues the needle has to pass through to get to the spinal fluid. Discomfort usually only lasts a few days and is treated with rest, ice or heat. Occasionaly pain medication such as tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen may be needed. Leg pain can occur if the needle irritates the nerve roots by direst contact and is usually self limited.

Yes: The needle enters the spinal canal through muscles, tendons and along spinal bone, all of which can get scratched/irritated and hurt for days after the procedure. Leg pain is from hitting/irritating one or more of the spinal nerves (cauda equina) which run inside the spinal canal (surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid). These nerves run into the legs - therefore the leg pain when they get irritated.