Library · Procedure
Joint aspiration
Make it clearer
Joint aspiration, also called arthrocentesis, means using a needle to draw the synovial fluid out of a joint. Synovial fluid is what lubricates that joint from the inside. It is done for two reasons: to find out what disease is present, or to relieve symptoms when that fluid causes pain or discomfort.
The most important thing to look for when that fluid is examined is whether there is infection or inflammation. The landmarks on the skin change depending on the joint, because you do not enter a knee at the same spot as an elbow, but the general technique is the same.
It is also used to drain a hemarthrosis, which is blood that has built up inside the joint after an injury. And it has a single absolute contraindication: infection of the skin over the joint, such as cellulitis, because the aspiration can carry bacteria from that skin into the joint.
In brief
Joint aspiration, or arthrocentesis, removes synovial fluid from the joint space to identify a disease or relieve painful or bothersome symptoms.
Its most important indication is examining that fluid for infection or inflammation; the anatomic landmarks differ by joint, but the general technique stays the same.
It also drains a hemarthrosis that may fill a joint after trauma; its only absolute contraindication is a periarticular infection such as cellulitis, since aspiration can carry overlying skin bacteria into the joint.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingArthrocentesis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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