[Sterile puncture of large joints]

Puncture of large joints is performed for diagnostic purposes on the one hand and for the treatment of joint pathologies on the other. Puncture can be used for rapid pain relief by relieving effusions or intra-articular hematomas. The obtained puncture specimen allows immediate visual assessment and subsequent microscopic-cytological and microbiological evaluation in the laboratory.

The indication for puncture of a large joint is for diagnosis and/or therapy of inflammatory, traumatic or postoperative joint problems. Diagnostic punctures are used to obtain punctate, to differentiate the location of pain or (rarely) to apply contrast medium for magnetic resonance arthrography. Therapeutic punctures allow the injection of drugs or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as well as the relief or drainage of effusions.

If there are inflammatory skin alterations-especially purulent inflammation-joint punctures through these lesions are absolutely contraindicated. Special attention is necessary if the patients are on anticoagulants.

Absolute sterile handling is mandatory. Unnecessary pain can be avoided by a sterile skin wheal of local anesthesia, safe puncture points, and careful handling of the cannulas.

Joint aspiration material has to be handled according to the local, intrahospital rules in a timely manner. Puncture sites are covered with sterile dressings, and if intra-articular medication is administered, the joints have to be passively moved through the range of motion to distribute the medication. Thereafter, compression therapy from distally to proximally while also covering the puncture site avoids recurrence of swelling or hematoma.

If sterile conditions are guaranteed, infections rarely occur (0.04-0.08%, 4-8/10,000 cases). The risk of false-positive detection of microorganisms is extremely low.