Arthrocentesis, or joint aspiration, involves removing fluid from a joint to test for the cause of swelling or to relieve painful swelling. The procedure is usually painless and can be done in a doctor’s office. The collected fluid can be sent to a lab for analysis to diagnose conditions such as arthritis, Lyme disease, and gout. The procedure can be performed in any joint, but the knee is a common site for testing.
If a joint is filled with fluid, doctors may recommend arthrocentesis, which is also called joint aspiration or joint tapping. In this procedure, which can often be done in a doctor’s office, fluid is removed from the joint. The main goal of arthrocentesis may be to test the fluid to determine the cause of the swelling or the different types of conditions that may be causing fluid buildup. Alternatively, the goal of joint aspiration may be to promote greater patient comfort by eliminating painful swelling. In many cases, joint aspiration is done for both diagnosis and pain relief.
As mentioned, arthrocentesis can take place in a doctor’s office. The area that will be touched is usually cleaned with an antibacterial solution, and people are likely to have a local anesthetic, which will numb the particular joint from which the fluid will be removed. Once the anesthetic works, which takes a minute or two, a needle is injected into the joint and a small to large amount of fluid is aspirated or aspirated from it. Usually the only post-procedure requirement is applying a small bandage to the injection site.
Most people find arthrocentesis to be a relatively painless procedure due to the anesthetic used. If it feels painful, patients may want to ask doctors to stop. You may need more local anesthetic.
Other people aren’t concerned about discomfort, but have trouble seeing the aspiration needles, which may be too big. For those who are concerned about this issue, it is highly recommended to look away while the procedure is being performed. It should be noted that joint aspiration has a very low incidence of side effects, although an infection of the joint does occur in rare circumstances, especially if hygiene measures are not strictly observed.
The collected fluid can be sent to the laboratory for analysis and can be useful in differentiating the different types of arthritis that exist. Alternatively, if something like infection is the cause of joint swelling, examining the fluid collected from the arthrocentesis can determine that as well. Conditions that a doctor might look for with joint aspiration include Lyme disease, gout, fungal infections, and the presence of bleeding in the joints.
The removal of fluid may also have a dual or other purpose. After arthrocentesis some people may feel much more comfortable. Fluid buildup in a joint can lead to painful swelling, and removing the fluid could improve this condition momentarily, although the buildup can reoccur if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
Arthrocentesis can be performed in virtually any joint. Common areas of the tap include the joints in the hand and especially the knee. The knee is particularly known for its ability to collect fluid and can be one of the best sites to touch to determine if certain diseases are present.
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