Bone Marrow Biopsy - Post Procedure Instruction (2024)

FAQs

Bone Marrow Biopsy - Post Procedure Instruction? ›

Site care. Wear the bandage and keep it dry for 24 hours. Don't shower, bathe, swim or use a hot tub. After 24 hours you can get the area wet.

Site care. Wear the bandage and keep it dry for 24 hours. Don't shower, bathe, swim or use a hot tub. After 24 hours you can get the area wet.

Call your provider if you have any of the following: Fever. Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the biopsy site. More pain around the biopsy site.

Nursing Interventions

While the marrow slides are being prepared, apply pressure to the biopsy site until bleeding stops. Clean the biopsy site and apply a sterile dressing. Monitor the patient's vital signs and the biopsy site for signs and symptoms of infection.

The biopsy is performed with a slightly bigger needle that is used compared to normal blood tests. This larger needle is needed to enter the bone at the back of the hip. After the biopsy the hole in the bone will immediately begin to heal and it is expected complete healing will have occurred within 1 to 2 weeks.

Activity. Do light activities such as walking, unless you are told otherwise. Eat your normal diet, unless you are told otherwise. Most people are able to return to work the day after the procedure.

If you received a sedative during the biopsy, you'll need someone to drive you. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about caring for yourself as you recover. They may advise you to: Take a nonprescription pain reliever to help with pain or discomfort.

Some tenderness around the site of your biopsy is normal and can last for 12 - 48 hours. Apply ice to the site as needed for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do not take any pain relievers containing aspirin or ibuprofen for 48 hours.

For 24 Hours

– Do not drive a car. – Do not use machinery or power tools. – Do not drink alcohol. – Do not take medicines such as tranquilizers or sleeping pills, unless your doctor prescribed them.

Tramadol is also effective in relieving pain during the procedure with the added benefit of significantly reducing pain caused specifically by marrow aspiration and minimal adverse effects. Methoxyflurane is another agent able to reduce aspiration-related pain but has a higher incidence of adverse effects.

What if a bone marrow test is positive? ›

“Positive” results mean something abnormal was found in your bone marrow, and your doctor may want to begin treatment for cancer, a blood or bone marrow disorder, anemia, or whatever condition the test reveals you have. Depending on your condition, your doctor may order additional tests to help guide the next steps.

You may have a bone marrow test if you have a cancer which affects the bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma. if your doctor thinks your bone marrow may contain cancer cells that have spread from another type of cancer or you have a non-cancerous condition.

How the Test will Feel. With a needle biopsy, you may feel some discomfort and pressure, even though a local anesthetic is used. You must remain still during the procedure. After the biopsy, the area may be sore or tender for several days.

Incision care

If you have strips of tape on the biopsy site, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. If you had stitches or staples, your doctor will tell you when to come back to have them removed. Change the bandage every day. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

Rest as much as you can in the next day or two. Limit using the body part, if this is possible. For example, if you had a biopsy performed on your arm or leg, try to rest and raise the limb for the next day or so. Avoid vigorous exercise and lifting heavy objects.

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Most people are able to return to their usual activities the day after the procedure.

Side effects following bone marrow tests vary from person to person. Some patients experience slight bone pain for a few days after the procedure which responds to normal painkillers such as paracetamol. Other side effects may include bruising, bleeding, pain, infection or tingling in the legs.

During this process (which can take months), you are highly susceptible to infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to help prevent infection. You will need to be very careful about interactions with others and avoiding any outside germs until your immune system is functioning again.

Your Recovery

You will probably be able to return to work and your usual activities the day after the procedure. Your doctor or nurse will call you with the results of your test. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.