A bone biopsy is a diagnostic tool used to sample and examine cells from a person’s bones. This type of biopsy can be performed on any bone in the body.
In a bone biopsy of the foot, a small piece of bone is removed and examined under a microscope. This allows doctors to look for evidence of infection, inflammation, or cancer. Bone biopsies are generally safe procedures with minimal risks.
How Is a Bone Biopsy of the Foot Done?
A bone biopsy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. The procedure will be done in a hospital or clinic setting and will take about 30 minutes to an hour.
Before the procedure begins, you will be given local anesthesia to numb the area where the biopsy will be done. Once you are numb, your doctor will make a small incision in your skin and insert a needle into your bone to remove a small sample of tissue. The tissue will then be sent to a lab for analysis.
After the Procedure
After the procedure is over, you will likely have some pain and swelling at the biopsy site. You may also have bruising around the area where the needle was inserted.
These side effects are usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil).
Avoiding activities that put pressure on your foot, such as walking or running, for at least 24 hours can also help reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on when you can resume these activities based on how well you heal from the procedure.
It can take up to two weeks to get results back from a bone biopsy. Your doctor will discuss these results with you and develop a treatment plan based on what was found.
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