|
|
ARTHOCENTESIS
|

Arthocentesis. Procedure where fluid is removed from a joint space or
medication may be administered into the joint cavity for diagnostic or therapeutic
purposes.
|
INDICATIONS:
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Cellulitis or broken skin over the intended entry site for the injection
or aspiration
- Anticogulant therapy that is not well controlled
- Septic effusion of a bursa or a
periarticular structure (for injection)
- Lack of response to two or three prior injections
- Suspected bacteremia (unless the joint is suspected as the source of the bacteremia
, it should not be tapped. Doing so could inoculate the
joint space and actually cause infection)
- Joint prostheses (If infection is suspected, consider a referral to the
orthopedist who placed the prosthesis, if at all possible)
PRE- and POST-PROCEDURE PATIENT EDUCATION:
Inform the patient of the risks, benefits, and possible complications of
injection therapy. This is especially important if steroids are
used. Rarely is there ever complication from the use of lidocaine
alone. Inform the patient that there is always a possibility for
infection from the injection, although this is extremely rare. Bleeding
into a joint can occur, although this generally does not happen unless the
patient has a coagulopathy. The injection may actually cause more pain
during the first 24 to 36 hours. This is called steroid flare. If
the pain last for more than 36 hours, evaluate the patient for the possibility
of septic joint.
|
|
"Once
you see it, you will never forget it."
"Trust your photogenic memory."
|
|