Joint aspiration: arthrocentesis

Joint aspiration is an easily mastered procedure used to confirm or rule out joint sepsis and crystal-induced arthrosis. It is routinely performed with or without local anaesthetic, or with cooling spray. The time spent obtaining the fluid is short. The procedure is safe, requiring no hospitalization, except in the case of diagnosed sepsis. Arthrocentesis is a necessary procedure to prove beyond reasonable doubt that infection is not the cause of the arthritis. The family physician must be familiar with this procedure and obtain fluid for analysis, or refer when joint fluid cannot be readily aspirated. (Can Fam Physician 1987; 33:2057-2062.).