Knee Arthrocentesis
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Arthrocentesis (synovial fluid aspiration) of the knee can be performed either diagnostically (for identification of the etiology of acute arthritis) or therapeutically (for pain relief, drainage of effusion, or injection of medications). [1, 2]
To avoid puncture of tendons, blood vessels, and nerves, the clinician performing the procedure should be familiar with the anatomy of the specific joint. The risk of such injuries can be minimized by using the extensor surface of the joint for needle insertion while keeping the joint in minimal flexion.
Although this approach is not covered in this article, it seems that ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis and injection of the knee are superior to arthrocentesis and injection guided by anatomic landmarks and palpation, resulting in significantly less procedural pain, improved arthrocentesis success, greater synovial fluid yield, more complete joint decompression, and improved clinical outcomes. [3]
Indications for diagnostic knee arthrocentesis include the following:
Indications for therapeutic knee arthrocentesis include the following:
There are no absolute contraindications for knee arthrocentesis. Relative contraindications include the following:
Siva C, Velazquez C, Mody A, Brasington R. Diagnosing acute monoarthritis in adults: a practical approach for the family physician. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Jul 1. 68(1):83-90. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Zuber TJ. Knee joint aspiration and injection. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Oct 15. 66(8):1497-500, 1503-4, 1507. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Sibbitt WL Jr, Kettwich LG, Band PA, Chavez-Chiang NR, DeLea SL, Haseler LJ, et al. Does ultrasound guidance improve the outcomes of arthrocentesis and corticosteroid injection of the knee?. Scand J Rheumatol. 2012 Feb. 41(1):66-72. [Medline].
Zhang Q, Zhang T, Lv H, Xie L, Wu W, Wu J, et al. Comparison of two positions of knee arthrocentesis: how to obtain complete drainage. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Jul. 91(7):611-5. [Medline].
Self WH, Wang EE, Vozenilek JA, del Castillo J, Pettineo C, Benedict L. Dynamic emergency medicine. Arthrocentesis. Acad Emerg Med. 2008 Mar. 15(3):298. [Medline].
Thomsen TW, Shen S, Shaffer RW, Setnik GS. Videos in clinical medicine. Arthrocentesis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2006 May 11. 354(19):e19. [Medline].
Margaretten ME, Kohlwes J, Moore D, Bent S. Does this adult patient have septic arthritis?. JAMA. 2007 Apr 4. 297(13):1478-88. [Medline].
Li SF, Cassidy C, Chang C, Gharib S, Torres J. Diagnostic utility of laboratory tests in septic arthritis. Emerg Med J. 2007 Feb. 24(2):75-7. [Medline].
McGillicuddy DC, Shah KH, Friedberg RP, Nathanson LA, Edlow JA. How sensitive is the synovial fluid white blood cell count in diagnosing septic arthritis?. Am J Emerg Med. 2007 Sep. 25(7):749-52. [Medline].
Appearance
WBCs, cells/µL
PMN cells
Glucose concentration, mg/dL
Protein concentration, g/dL
Normal
Clear
<150
<0.25
Serum glucose
1.3-1.8
Noninflammatory
Clear
<3000
<0.25
Serum glucose
2-3.5
Inflammatory
Cloudy
>3000
<0.75
<25
>4
Purulent
Cloudy
>50,000
>0.9
<25
>4
Hemorrhagic
Bloody
>2000
~0.3
Serum glucose
…
PMN = polymorphonuclear; WBC = white blood cell.
Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD, FACEP Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California; Chief Medical Information Officer, Keck Medicine of USC
Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Erik D Schraga, MD Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Knee Arthrocentesis
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