Bone Marrow Aspiration / Bone Marrow Biopsy
What to Bring, How to Prepare, and What to Expect
Bone marrow testing helps diagnose and monitor conditions like blood cancers (leukaemia/lymphoma/myeloma), low blood counts, fever of unknown origin, and other marrow-related disorders.
What to Bring (Checklist)
Reports & documents
- Doctor’s advice/prescription for bone marrow test
- Recent blood reports (CBC and any reports advised)
- Any prior biopsy/scan reports related to your case
- Previous treatment notes (chemo, transfusions, admissions) if any
Medicines & important health info (must tell us)
- List/photos of all current medicines
- Blood thinners (very important): Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, etc.
- History of low platelets/bleeding tendency (if any)
- Diabetes/BP/heart disease/asthma history
- Allergy history (medicines/local anaesthetic)
Admin
- Photo ID
- Insurance/scheme details (if applicable)
Before the Procedure (Preparation)
A) Fasting
- Most bone marrow procedures are done under local anaesthesia and usually do not need fasting.
- If sedation is planned (in selected cases): you will be told to fast (commonly 6–8 hours).
B) Blood thinners (do not stop on your own)
- Do not stop aspirin/blood thinners without medical advice.
- The team will guide you based on safety and your medical condition.
C) Clothing & comfort
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
- The sample is usually taken from the back of the hip bone (pelvis).
D) Attendant
- Bring one attendant, especially if you feel anxious/weak or if sedation is planned.
What to Expect (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Registration + consent
- Details are verified, and consent is taken.
Step 2: Pre-checks
- Vitals are checked.
- Doctor reviews reports, medicines (especially blood thinners), and platelet count if needed.
Step 3: Positioning
- You will lie on your side or stomach to expose the hip area.
Step 4: Local anaesthesia
- The area is cleaned and numbed.
- You may feel a small prick and burning sensation briefly, then numbness.
Step 5: Bone marrow aspiration
- A needle is inserted into the marrow space.
- You may feel a deep pulling/pressure sensation for a few seconds when the sample is taken.
- (This is normal and lasts only briefly.)
Step 6: Bone marrow biopsy (if advised)
- In many cases, a small marrow “core” sample is also taken.
- You may feel pressure but it is usually tolerable with local anaesthesia.
Step 7: Dressing + short observation
- A dressing is applied, and you may rest for a short period.
After the Procedure (Care at Home)
Do’s
- Keep the dressing clean and dry for the time advised
- Rest for the day; avoid heavy activity for 24–48 hours
- Take doctor-advised pain relief (mild soreness is common)
Don’ts
- Don’t scrub or wet the site immediately (follow dressing instructions)
- Don’t lift heavy weights or do intense workouts for 1–2 days
- Don’t restart blood thinners unless your doctor/team confirms timing
When to Call Us Immediately / Come to Casualty
- Bleeding soaking the dressing that doesn’t stop with pressure
- Increasing swelling, severe pain, or a rapidly growing bruise
- Fever, pus, redness/warmth at the site
- Dizziness, fainting, severe weakness
Report Timelines (Safe Range)
Bone marrow evaluation may include multiple components, so timelines can vary:
- Preliminary/basic report: commonly 1–3 working days
- Biopsy/complete marrow report: commonly 3–7 working days
-
If special tests are required (flow cytometry/cytogenetics/molecular tests): may take additional days
(Your doctor/team will tell you what tests are planned and expected timelines.)
Disclaimer
Pain sensation and sample types can vary patient-to-patient. Our team will guide you throughout, and the procedure is done with safety as priority.
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