Wrist Arthrocentesis eMedicine Procedures

Description: Introduction
* Synovial aspiration is a basic diagnostic tool in rheumatology.
* Synovial fluid analysis allows distinction between inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions and provides direct proof of crystal arthropathy, infection, and hemarthrosis.
* Joints and periarticular structures such as bursae and tendon sheaths may need aspiration for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
* In addition, corticosteroids and other drugs are often injected in and around soft tissue periarticular lesions to treat regional pain syndromes.
* The principles and practice of inserting a needle into a joint cavity are very similar to the principles and practice of inserting a needle into a periarticular lesion.
* The wrist joint is complex, but most of the intercarpal spaces communicate with the radiocarpal joint, which may be entered from a dorsal approach.
Ritu Khurana, MD Updated: Feb 27, 2009