Discharge Instructions for Nerve/Muscle Biopsy
You had a nerve/muscle biopsy, a procedure used to identify a disease or to check the condition of your nerves, muscle, or both. The following instructions will help you care for your incision after the procedure.
Home care
Remove the gauze dressing covering your incision after 24 hours.
Leave the incision covered with adhesive strips until you return to have your stitches removed.
Replace any adhesive strips that fall off.
Keep the incision dry. Cover the incision with a plastic bag or plastic wrap when you shower or bathe.
Don’t be alarmed if you have a small rim of redness and swelling around the incision. This usually disappears within a few days.
Don’t take aspirin. If you have pain, take acetaminophen or another non-aspirin pain reliever every 4 hours as needed.
Follow-up
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
Increased redness around the biopsy site
Excessive swelling, discomfort, or pain
Drainage or pus from the biopsy site
Bleeding from the incision (not controlled by 10–15 minutes of firm pressure on the wound)
Fever of 100.4°F or higher, or chills