Pain during and following the procedure is a frequent complaint and is reported to occur in 10% of the patient population. When systemically looked for, tenderness at the puncture site was observed in 15% of patients. You can minimize the pain by using thin needles and by the use of local anaesthetic.

However, the local anaesthetic is ineffective in preventing late symptoms. Sometimes the pain is felt proximal or distal to the puncture site and this type of pain could be secondary to arterial spasm. In most cases the discomfort following an arterial puncture is temporary and minor.

References:

1. Clark GS, et al. Symptoms following radial artery puncture.
2. Gillies IDS, et al. The nature and incidence of complications of peripheral arterial puncture. Anesthesia 1979; 34:506-9.