Get Virtual Care
  • Primary Care
  • Urgent Care
  • FAQs
  • Support Center
For Businesses
  • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
  • For DMEs and Pharmacies
  • For Health Plans
  • For Providers
About Us
  • Who We Are
  • Why HealthTap
  • Our Standards
  • Contact
Log in
Book a video appointment
Book now
  • Get Virtual Care

    • Primary Care
    • Urgent Care
    • FAQs
    • Support Center
  • For Businesses

    • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
    • For DMEs and Pharmacies
    • For Health Plans
    • For Providers
  • About Us

    • Who We Are
    • Why HealthTap
    • Our Standards
    • Contact
Log in to HealthTap
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Overview
Treats
Related questions
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Procedures
Lumbar puncture

Lumbar puncture

Share

Link copied

To test for meningitis or multiple sclerosis or a variety of problems, a small needle is inserted into the lumbosacral cistern to obtain spinal fluid for testing and perhaps diagnostic confirmation.

Dr. Bennett Machanic reviewed this

47 year experience in Neurology

Treats

Cryptococcus
Condition

Related questions

A 21-year old asked:

What is a lumbar puncture?

4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Whats a lumbar puncture likes?

2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

How is lumbar puncture performed?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old female asked:

How risky is the lumbar puncture?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

How can I prepare for a lumbar puncture?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

What will happen during a lumbar puncture?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

What do you advise if i had lumbar puncture?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

Getting a lumbar puncture, how serious is this?

3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

A 50-year old male asked:

I would like to know what is lumbar puncture?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

What happens if a lumbar puncture is done too high?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

What does a lumbar puncture actually help to prove?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

What is the main reasons for needing a lumbar puncture?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: lumbar puncture?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

Should a lumbar puncture be done in a fused area of the back?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

Need a simple explaination for this. What is a lumbar puncture?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 26-year old female asked:

How long does it take for a wound to heal after a lumbar puncture ?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 30-year old female asked:

When attempting a lumbar puncture, how many attempts should be made at one time?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 29-year old female asked:

I still have some pain in my lower back after having a lumbar puncture 11/17/12.?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

What is a lumbar puncture like and how come you have to lie on your back afterwards?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

How many lumbar punctures can a baby have to check for ivh before it gets dangerous?

2 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

Whats a lumbar puncture like and why should someone lie on his or her back afterwards?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

I had a lumbar puncture and 12 hours later 3 of my discs herniated. What did they do wrong?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 53-year old female asked:

I had a lumbar puncture yesterday and the fluid was clear. Does that mean everything is okay?

3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old female asked:

I read lumbar puncture shouldn't cause ongoing pain after. If this is case, what is best guess of why I have it, if I never had pain before procedure?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Would heat help after a lumbar puncture?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 37-year old asked:

Is a lumbar puncture needed to diagnose ms?

3 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

I got a spinal tap / lumbar puncture today?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old asked:

What are the side effects of a lumbar puncture?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

Should lumbar puncture be performed on my infant?

2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

What will monoclonal bands in a lumbar puncture mean?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited

For Businesses

Direct Primary Care for OrganizationsFor DMEs and PharmaciesFor Health PlansFor Providers

Company

About UsSupport CenterContact Us

Health Content

Health TopicsDoctor Q&A by Specialty

Join Us

For DoctorsJobs
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.