Bone Biopsy: How It Feels

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How It Feels

Closed or needle biopsy

You may feel a brief pinch or sting from the numbing medicine. You may feel pressure or a brief, sharp pain as the needle enters the bone. You may also feel an aching pain or pressure when the bone tissue sample is taken out. After the procedure, the biopsy site may be sore and tender for up to a week. Your doctor will talk to you about pain medicine.

Open biopsy

You will be asleep or the area will be numb so you will not feel any pain. After the biopsy, you may feel sleepy for about 2 hours. The biopsy site may be sore and tender for up to a week. Your doctor will talk to you about pain medicine.

After a bone biopsy

• If a closed bone biopsy is done, you may go home shortly after the procedure. If you got a sedative, you may need to stay longer and have someone drive you home.
• If an open biopsy is done, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the hospital or clinic.
• A bandage will be placed over the biopsy site. You may be told to keep the biopsy site covered and dry for 48 hours. A small amount of bleeding from the biopsy site is normal. Ask your doctor how much drainage to expect.

Last updated:	October 24, 2008
Author:	Bets Davis, MFA
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer