Bone Biopsy

A bone biopsy may be done on an outpatient basis, or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary, depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

Some biopsies may be done using local anesthesia to numb the area. Others may be done under general or spinal anesthesia. If spinal anesthesia is used, you will have no feeling from your waist down. Your healthcare provider will discuss this with you in advance.

You will be asked to remove your clothing and will be given a medical gown to wear.

An IV (intravenous) line may be started in your arm or hand.

You will be positioned so that your healthcare provider can easily reach the bone that is to be sampled. A belt or strap may be used to hold you in the correct position.

The skin over the biopsy site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

If a local anesthetic is used, you will feel a needle prick when the anesthetic is injected. This may cause a brief stinging sensation. If general anesthesia is used, you will be put to sleep using IV (intravenous) medicine.

If local anesthesia is used to numb the area, you will need to lie still during the procedure.

The provider will make a small cut (incision) over the biopsy site. They will insert the biopsy needle into your bone.

If you are awake, you may feel discomfort or pressure when your healthcare provider takes the bone sample.

The biopsy needle will be withdrawn, and firm pressure will be applied to the biopsy site for a few minutes, until the bleeding has stopped.

Your healthcare provider will close the opening in your skin with stitches or skin adhesive strips, if needed.

A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.

The bone sample will be sent to the lab for testing.