Do I need a joint aspiration?
Joint aspiration is helpful to patients who experience fluid accumulation caused by other conditions, such as arthritis or tendinitis. Sometimes doctors inject medicaments into the joint. Depending on the condition, the extracted fluid is further analyzed.
How long will recovery take?
Joint aspiration usually doesn’t require actual recovery time; however, patients have to wait for the local anesthesia to wear off.
How is the extracted fluid analyzed?
Doctors check the synovial fluid, as it’s called, for its volume, viscosity and color. An experienced lab technician will then examine it through a microscope, checking for the presence of crystals, white blood cell count, and if there is presence on any foreign microorganisms.
Is joint aspiration painful?
Local anesthesia will be applied to the area, during the procedure the patient will be awake but won’t fell anything. It’s common to feel some discomfort or mild pain for some hours after the procedure.