Bone Biopsy: How To Prepare

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How To Prepare

Before having a bone biopsy, tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines. If you take medicines every day, ask your doctor whether you should stop taking these medicines before the test.
• Are allergic to any medicines, such as those used to numb the skin (anesthetics).
• Have had bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Are or might be pregnant.
• Take any herbal remedies. Some of these remedies may thin the blood.

Getting ready for a bone biopsy changes depending on the type of biopsy that will be done.

• For a closed biopsy (needle biopsy), you do not need to do anything before the procedure. Right before the procedure, you will be asked to remove most or all of your clothes. You will be given a gown to use. You will be awake during the procedure. Arrange to have someone drive you home because you may get a medicine (sedative) to help you relax.
• For an open biopsy, your doctor will tell you how soon before surgery to stop eating and drinking. In most cases you will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before your surgery. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, up to 2 hours before surgery. But be sure to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you. You can eat your regular diet after the procedure. You may need to stay overnight in the hospital after an open biopsy is done.

Before a bone biopsy, you need to sign a form (consent form) that says you understand the risks of the bone biopsy and agree to have the procedure done. Make sure that you understand how this procedure is done before signing the consent form. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the biopsy, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this procedure, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?) .

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