Arthrocentesis: What It Is And How Is The Procedure
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that rarely causes complications and instead clarifies a diagnosis of rheumatoid disease, gout, or joint infections.
Arthrocentesis is a procedure performed primarily to diagnose or supplement a diagnosis of arthritis. The objective is to collect synovial fluid, and then proceed to its study and determine what the pathology of a joint is.
Analysis of the synovial fluid obtained by arthrocentesis can establish whether the cause of arthritis is rheumatoid disease, gout, or an infection. It also helps eliminate swelling and protect the joint.
The usual thing is that before performing the arthrocentesis, a study of the patient is carried out using magnetic resonance imaging, to determine whether or not it is appropriate to perform the procedure. Although it is a minimally invasive technique, it is classified as a surgical intervention.
What is arthrocentesis?
As experts at The Nemours Foundation / KidsHealth indicate, arthrocentesis is a procedure that involves removing fluid from inside a joint cavity. This is done using a needle and syringe.
The collected sample is subjected to study to determine if there are diseases or conditions in the joints.
Joints are the junction points between two bones. Its main function is to allow the mobility of the skeleton.
The joints contain synovial fluid, which is a lubricant that facilitates movement and cushions the ends of the bones, reducing friction.
The introduction of the syringe with the needle is called puncture and in arthrocentesis it is performed at the following points :
Knee joint. It can be done in the middle area or in the lateral area, behind the patella.
In the popliteal fossa, which is the area behind the knee.
In the hip. It is done only exceptionally.
It can eventually be done in any other joint, but it is very unusual.
In which cases is it indicated?
In most cases, arthrocentesis is done to help diagnose, or supplement a diagnosis of arthritis. This is a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints and causing great discomfort.
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