Indications for joint aspiration
Indications for bursa aspiration
Contraindications for joint/bursa aspiration
Complications of joint aspiration
Complications of bursal aspiration
What is the MC joint/bursa that get aspirations?
Knee MC joint
Olecranona and pre-patellar MC bursae
Procedure prior to joint/bursa aspiration
Is joint/bursa aspiration a sterile or clean procedure?
Sterile
What needles/syringes are required for joint aspirations?
What tubes are needed for aspiration?
What do red/green top tubes contain and what do they test from aspirations?
- Tests for crystals, total protein, glucose, RA latex
What do purple top tubes contain and what do they test from aspirations?
- Cell count and differential
What do yellow top tubes test from aspirations?
Cultures
Joint aspiration technique
What do you do if flow of fluid stops in a joint aspiration?
Reposition needle and attempt to withdraw fluid
Describe normal aspirate
Clear
Slightly thick
Yellow
Describe infected aspirate
Thick, cloudy, purulent
WBCs over 50,000
Positive culture
Describe inflammatory aspirate
Cloudy
Less viscous
Elevated WBC 20-50,000
Describe gout/pseudogout aspirate
Positive for crystals
What could cause bloody joint aspirate?
Fracture (fat globules)
Patellar dislocation
ACL/PCL rupture
Coagulopathy
Follow up care of joint aspiration
When should admission be considered after joint aspiration?
For all suspected joint infections
Olecranon bursal aspiration technique
Why shouldn’t an olecranon bursa be aspirated laterally or medially?
Ulnar and radius nerves run pretty superficially in the grooves