Discharge Instructions for Muscle Biopsy
You had a procedure called muscle biopsy. This procedure is performed to diagnose muscle disorders or defects, identify diseases of the connective tissue and blood vessels, or diagnose infections that affect the muscles. The following instructions will help you care for your incision after the procedure.
Incision Care
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Don’t be alarmed if you have a small rim of redness and swelling around the incision. This usually goes away within a week or so.
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Don’t take aspirin. If you have pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or another nonaspirin pain reliever every 4 hours, as needed.
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Leave on the gauze dressing that is covering your incision for 24 hours. The dressing protects sutures, staples, Steri-strips (strips of tape), or adhesive bandages that are keeping your incision closed.
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Leave the incision covered with adhesive bandages until you return to have your stitches removed. Replace any adhesive bandages that fall off.
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Steri-strips will fall off on their own.
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Take care when showering. You will likely be able to shower the day after your biopsy. But follow your doctor’s instructions closely. Do the following, as instructed:
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If you are told to leave the dressing on at all times, cover your dressing with plastic to keep it dry while you shower.
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If you are told to remove the dressing to shower, carefully wash your incision with soap and water. Gently pat it dry. Don’t rub the incision, or apply creams or lotions to it.
Follow-Up
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have any of the following:
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Increased redness around the biopsy site
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Excessive swelling, discomfort, or pain
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Drainage or pus from the biopsy site
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Bleeding from the incision (not controlled by applying 10-15 minutes of firm pressure on the wound)
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Fever above 100.4°F or shaking chills
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Date Last Reviewed:
11/1/2006
Date Last Modified:
12/26/2007