You have been told you need a bone biopsy and are asking yourself a lot of question. Well, first a biopsy is the removal of a living tissue. After the removal of a sample of tissue it will be sent to the laboratory to be examined.

A bone  biopsy can be done in a clinic with a local anesthesia. During a bone biopsy a small sample of bone is taken from the body and sent to the lab. The sample will be looked at under a microscope. The lab staff will look for cancer, infection, and other bone disorders.

It is easier for the bone biopsy to be taken from a bone that is close to the skin surface but away from any internal organs. The biopsy also needs to be done away from large blood vessels. However, a bone biopsy can be taken from any bone in the body. Most of the time the bone biopsy is done on a bone that shows a problem when an x-ray was done.

There are many times a bone biopsy needs to be done. A few are listed below:

1. To confirm the diagnosis of a bone disorder that was found by some other test. (x-ray, CT scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
2. To tell the difference between a benign (noncancerous) bone mass. Such as a bone cyst, and bone cancer.
3. To find out what is causing a bone infection or if an infection is present.
4. To see what is causing your ongoing bone pain.

If you are having an open bone biopsy your surgeon may be able to do a surgical procedure right then if one is needed. So before your bone biopsy you should discuss the following with you doctor:

1. If you are taking any medicines. He/she will discuss with you whether or not you should stop taking those before the biopsy.
2. If you are allergic to anything you might come in contact with such as latex, or medicines used to numb the skin (anesthetics)
3. It is important that the surgeon know if you have any bleeding problems or if you take any prescribed or over the counter medication that thins the blood. (aspirin, plavix, coumadin, etc.)
4. If you are pregnant or even might be pregnant.
5. When you are discussing any medicines you are on it is important to list any (if you are having a bone marrow biopsyherbal remedies you are taking.How will the bone biopsy be removed:

If  you are having a bone marrow biopsy:

The medical personnel will insert a needle (closed needle biopsy) through the skin directly into the bone. You will have a local anesthetic to lessen the pain you will feel during the procedure. Some patients are also given intravenous pain medicine and/or a sedative.

Or an incision is made through the skin to expose an area of the bone (open biopsy). You may be given a general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia for this procedure.

If you are in need of a bone biopsy you can have the procedure done at Outpatient Services East. The entire staff (medical and non-medical) will do all they can to make you time with them pleasant. Call them if you need any information about their facility.

Phone:  205-838-3888   Web:  www.osesurg.com