Hi @marymerry, Years ago when I injured my knee playing softball, I had a spinal tap for anesthesia before surgery to remove torn cartilage. I did feel a small sting but I wouldn't describe it as painful. I think that was due to the anesthetic injected in the spine. Here's some information on the procedure that might be helpful.

"A lumbar puncture is usually not painful, as a patient is first given a local anesthetic. Most patients feel nothing except for the mild sting of the local anesthetic needle."
-- How Painful is a Lumbar Puncture? Procedure:
https://www.medicinenet.com/how_painful_is_a_lumbar_puncture/article.htm