I don't have a great deal of medical knowledge so I'm wondering about a few things about spinal taps like the one little Hector Lopez had to endure as described in Legacies (pg. 216):

1. Why is it the patient needs to be awake without anything to numb the pain of a needle being injected into your lower spine?

2. If your spinal fluid is hazy, what does this mean? What colour should it be?

3. Couldn't this procedure potiential cripple a patient?

I don't have a great deal of medical knowledge so I'm wondering about a few things about spinal taps like the one little Hector Lopez had to endure as described in Legacies (pg. 216):

1. Why is it the patient needs to be awake without anything to numb the pain of a needle being injected into your lower spine?

2. If your spinal fluid is hazy, what does this mean? What colour should it be?

3. Couldn't this procedure potiential cripple a patient?

1. There is usually a local anesthetic given.

2. That depends on what kind of "hazy" it is. Normally, spinal fluid should be clear, like water.

3. Damage can be done if the needle is inserted too far, the patient moves or the pressure is high.

Ken V.