How To Do Elbow 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 medications 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

Prosthetic joint, which is susceptible to iatrogenic infection; prosthetic joint arthrocentesis should generally be done by an orthopedic surgeon

Infection

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

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

Nonsterile underpads

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

For joint aspiration, a 25- to 38-mm (1- to 1.5-inch) 20- or 22-gauge needle and a 10- to 20-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 to 30 mg or methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg) and/or a long-acting anesthetic (eg, 0.25% bupivacaine), a 23- to 25-gauge needle, and a hemostat to help switch syringes, if needed

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

The needle is inserted just distal to the lateral epicondyle, in the depression felt between the lateral epicondyle, ulna, and radial head.

Position the patient supine, sitting, or semi-recumbent with the elbow flexed to 90° and the forearm pronated with the palm down.

Palpate the lateral elbow to identify the radial head, which can be felt rotating when the patient alternately pronates and supinates the wrist. Also identify the lateral epicondyle and the olecranon process. Joint effusion, if palpable, can be felt between these three landmarks. If desired, mark the needle entry site with a skin-marking pen or preferably an indentation (before cleansing the skin).

Rest the elbow 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.

Palpate the landmarks.

Aspirate the joint using a 20- or 22-gauge needle on a 10- to 20-mL syringe. Aiming toward the medial epicondyle, insert and advance the needle. 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 the skin surface and then redirect at a different angle.

Drain all fluid from the joint.

If intra-articular medications (eg, anesthetic, corticosteroid) are to be given, hold the hub of the needle motionless (using a hemostat if available) while removing the synovial fluid-containing syringe and replace it with the medication-containing syringe. If the needle has remained in place in the joint space, there will be no resistance to medication injection.

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

Inspect the fluid for blood and fat. 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 .

Apply an adhesive bandage or sterile dressing.

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

Apply compression if there is bleeding from the procedure site.

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, the joint should be rested for about 24 to 48 hours.

If the patient has increased erythema, 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 then redirect; do not try to change the angle of insertion while a needle is embedded in tissue.

Joint effusion

Circumferential joint pain and capsule tenderness

Pain with both gentle, passive motion and with active joint motion

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