Needle Muscle Biopsy - Care of the Incision at Home
Bandage
- Leave the dressing on for one day. Then, remove the dressing and replace with a Band-aids® placed on top of the steri-strips.
- Change the Band-aids® daily for the next 7 - 10 days. Look for signs of infection. If you notice any of these signs, call your doctor:
- Red and/or hot incision site (although the incision itself may turn red).
- Pus-like drainage.
- Excess swelling or bleeding (that covers the entire dressing within 1 hour).
- Temperature (by mouth) above 100° F or 37.7° C for two readings taken 4 hours apart.
- Increased pain that does not go away after you use pain medicine.
Wound Care
The incision is closed with steri strips (thin white tape). Keep the area dry for
7 - 10 days. Sponge bathe or cover the incision fully with plastic wrap while you shower. You may shower normally after 7 - 10 days. Do not soak or scrub the incision in water for 7 - 10 days or until the wound is completely healed.
Pain Relief
It is normal to have some pain or discomfort in the surgical site. For pain, use oral Tylenol® or other medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen, or anti-inflammatory drugs for 24 hours after the procedure. You may apply an ice pack to the area the first 24-36 hours. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes at a time.
Activity
There are no specific restrictions. Return to your normal routine as you are able.
For the next 7 - 10 days or until the biopsy siteis completely healed, please follow these directions:
- No swimming
- No tub baths
- No sitting in hot tubs
You may shower but you must cover your biopsy sit before showering. Follow these directions until your biopsy site is completely healed.
Supplies needed:
- Press and Seal saran wra (find in grocery store)
- Small plastic garbage bags
- Roll of tape
Tear off a sheet of Press & Seal and place it on top of your pressure dressing or on top of the Band-aids® pressing it into your skin. Place a small plastic garbage bag on top of the Press & Seal, wrapping the garbage bag around to keep in place. Secure the top and bottom edges of the garbage bag to your skin with tape. Do this each time BEFORE you shower until your biopsy site is fully healed.
Biopsy Results
The results will be given to your doctor who ordered the biopsy. Please contact him or her for results. The muscle tissues require considerable processing using stains that cannot be rushed. The results will be available in ___________.
Phone Numbers
If any problems occur, contact your doctor.
Neurology Clinic phone number - (608) 263-5442, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
After hours or weekends, this number will be answered by the paging operator. Ask for the neurology doctor on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call: 1-800-323-8942.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #7179.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 06/12/2013
Copyright © 06/12/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4278
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