How To Do Metacarpophalangeal and Interphalangeal Joint Arthrocentesis

Diagnosis of the cause of a synovial effusion (eg, infection Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. The infection resides in synovial or periarticular tissues and is usually bacterial—in younger adults... read more , crystal-induced arthritis Overview of Crystal-Induced Arthritides Arthritis can result from intra-articular deposition of crystals: Monosodium urate Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate Basic calcium phosphate (apatite) Rarely, others such as calcium oxalate crystals read more )

Removal of a synovial effusion and/or injection of drugs as part of treatment and for pain relief

Infection of skin or deeper tissues at the anticipated site of needle insertion

Severe bleeding diathesis, which may need to be corrected before arthrocentesis; routine therapeutic anticoagulation is not a contraindication, particularly if infection is suspected

Infection

Damage to tendon, nerve, or blood vessels (traumatic tap)

Antiseptic solution (eg, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, isopropyl alcohol), sterile gauze, sterile bandage, and sterile gloves

Nonsterile underpads

Local anesthetic (eg, 1% lidocaine, 25- to 30-gauge needle, 3- to 5-mL syringe)

For joint aspiration, a 25-mm (1-inch) 25-gauge needle and a 3-mL syringe

Appropriate containers for collection of fluid for laboratory tests (eg, cell count, crystals, cultures)

For intra-articular therapeutic injection, a syringe containing a corticosteroid (eg, triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg or methylprednisolone acetate 20 mg) and/or a long-acting anesthetic (eg, 0.25% bupivacaine), and a hemostat to help switch syringes

Enlist an assistant to provide flexion and traction to the finger or thumb.

Synovial fluid is usually not obtainable from a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or interphalangeal (IP) joint that is not infected or inflamed.

Sterile technique is necessary to prevent microbial contamination of both the joint space and the aspirated synovial fluid.

The aspirating needle is inserted into the joint line along the dorsal portion of the joint, just medial or lateral to the extensor tendon.

Position the patient sitting or supine with the forearm resting on a bedside table and the hand pronated.

The fingers are flexed; for the MCP joint, the patient makes a fist, and for the interphalangeal joints, the patient slightly flexes the fingers.

First, have the patient extend the finger. In this position, palpate the dorsal aspect of the joint and the extensor tendon. Then have the patient relax the finger. Apply traction to the relaxed finger, which expands the joint space slightly and makes the joint line visible as skin depressions—the areas for needle insertion—on either side of the extensor tendon. These landmarks are most apparent over the MCP joints.

Rest the hand on an underpad. Prepare the area with a skin-cleansing agent, such as chlorhexidine or povidone iodine, then use an alcohol wipe to remove the agent.

Place a wheal of local anesthetic over the needle entry site using a 25- to 30-gauge needle.

Have the patient flex the fingers to the appropriate angle for the joint being punctured.

Have an assistant apply gentle axial traction to the finger to facilitate entry of the aspirating needle into the joint space.

Aspirate the joint using a 25-gauge needle. Enter the skin perpendicularly from above, at the level of the joint line, just medial or lateral to the extensor tendon or from the side at a 90° angle from above. Direct the needle toward the center of the joint space (see figure Arthrocentesis of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthrocentesis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint and figure Arthrocentesis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrocentesis of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint ). Gently pull back on the plunger as you advance. Synovial fluid will enter the syringe when the joint is entered.

If the needle hits bone, retract almost to skin surface and then redirect at a different angle.

Drain all fluid from the joint (usually ≤ 2 mL).

If intra-articular drugs (eg, anesthetic, corticosteroid) are to be given, use a hemostat to hold the hub of the needle motionless while removing the synovial fluid-containing syringe and replace it with the drug-containing syringe. If the needle has remained in place in the joint space, there will be no resistance to drug injection. Injections into the MCP and IP joints should not exceed 20 mg of corticosteroid or 0.5 mL in volume.

After injecting a corticosteroid, move the joint through full range of motion to distribute the drug throughout the joint.

Transfer synovial fluid to tubes and other transport media for synovial fluid analysis Synovial fluid examination Some musculoskeletal disorders affect primarily the joints, causing arthritis. Others affect primarily the bones (eg, fractures, Paget disease of bone, tumors), muscles or other extra-articular... read more . Inspect the fluid for blood and fat.

Apply an adhesive bandage or sterile dressing.

Ice, elevation, and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve pain.

If an intra-articular anesthetic has been given, limited joint activity should be prescribed for 4 to 8 hours.

If an intra-articular corticosteroid has been given, a period of immobilization lasting about 24 to 48 hours may be needed.

If the patient has increased redness, pain, and/or swelling > 12 hours after the procedure, the joint should be examined for possible infection.

Carefully ensure optimal positioning before joint puncture.

Allow adequate time for local anesthesia to take effect before proceeding.

To avoid damaging the synovium and articular cartilage, do not advance the needle against resistance and do not move the needle once it has begun draining synovial fluid.

If the needle tip must be relocated, first withdraw it almost to the skin surface and then redirect; do not try to change the angle of insertion while a needle is embedded in tissue.

Joint effusion

Circumferential joint pain

The hemarthrosis of a traumatic tap tends to be nonuniformly bloody and tends to clot.