Bone Puncture Needle Before The Procedure

Your blood pressure and heart rate will be checked and you will be given some form of anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

Bone marrow aspiration needle tests may be performed using only local anesthesia to numb the area where the needle is inserted. The use of local anesthesia, especially for bone marrow aspirations, may cause brief but sharp pain. Many people choose to use a light sedative at the same time for additional pain relief.

If you are anxious about the pain, you may be given intravenous medication to completely or partially sedate you during the bone marrow examination.

The area where the biopsy needle will be inserted will be marked and cleaned with an antiseptic. Bone marrow fluid (aspirate) and tissue samples (biopsy) are usually collected from the parietal ridge on the back of the hip bone (posterior iliac crest). Sometimes, the anterior aspect of the hip may also be used.

You will be asked to lie on your abdomen or side and your body will be covered with a cloth so that only the examination site is shown.

Rarely, bone marrow aspirations - but not biopsies - are collected from the sternum or, in children under 12 to 18 months of age, from the lower leg bone.