Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Arthrocentesis

(Closed Joint Aspiration)
Definition

This is a procedure to take joint fluid out of a joint using a sterile needle. This can be done in most of the joints in the body, but it is usually done on larger ones (eg, knee, shoulder).

Reasons for Procedure

Arthrocentesis is done to:

  • Check for crystals in the joint fluid, which could be a sign of gout
  • Confirm a diagnosis of infection in the joint
  • Diagnose the specific type of arthritis occurring within a joint
  • Drain fluid out of a swollen joint to decrease pain and increase your ability to move the joint
  • Find out why a joint is painful, swollen, or fluid-filled

In some cases, the doctor may inject medicine (eg, cortisone) into the joint space after the fluid has been taken out.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have arthrocentesis, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Bleeding into the joint
  • Increased pain
  • Infection of the joint

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

  • Bleeding disorder
  • Infections on the skin
  • Recent fever or infection
  • Use of blood thinners

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

What to Expect
Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

  • Examine your joint
  • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • X-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
Anesthesia

Your doctor may give you local anesthesia. This numbs the area around the joint.

Description of the Procedure

Your doctor will clean the area where the needle will be inserted. Next, a needle attached to a syringe will be inserted into the fluid-filled joint cavity. Your doctor will draw the fluid into the syringe. After this, the doctor may take the syringe off and inject some medicine into the joint through the needle. After the needle is removed, the doctor will put pressure on the spot over the joint. A bandage will be placed over the area.

How Long Will It Take?

About 5-10 minutes

How Much Will It Hurt?

You may feel stinging or burning if local anesthesia is injected into the area.

Post-procedure Care

When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions .
  • Ask your doctor when you can resume normal activities.
  • For the first 24 hours, ice the joint every 3-4 hours. Do this for 20 minutes at a time.
  • To reduce discomfort, take a pain reliever.
Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

  • Pain that is not relieved by your pain medicine
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the site
  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

Last reviewed: December 2010 by Robert E. Leach, MD.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
  • Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co; 1998.
  • Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby-Year Book; 1998.
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov . Accessed October 14, 2005.