Joint Aspirations Flashcards
Indications for joint aspiration
- Evaluate for infection/systemic rheumatic disorder
- Evaluate effusions of unknown origin
- Relieve pain caused by a tense effusion
Indications for bursa aspiration
- Painful persistent swelling that does not respond to conservative treatment
- Olecranon bursitis aggravated by normal activities
Contraindications for joint/bursa aspiration
- Burns, cellulitis, impetigo
- When risks for introducing bacteria outweigh the benefits
- After joint arthroplasty
- Hemophiliacs or patients on anticoag w/ a hemarthrosis
Complications of joint aspiration
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Intra-articular injury
- Damage to underlying vascular or neuro structures
- Pain
- Reaccumulation of fluids
- Allergic reaction
Complications of bursal aspiration
- Infection
- Pain
- Chronic recurrence
- Chronic drainage via sinus tract
- Acute recurrent swelling
- Baker’s cysts or popliteal bursae (herniations of the joint capsule)
What is the MC joint/bursa that get aspirations?
Knee MC joint
Olecranona and pre-patellar MC bursae
Procedure prior to joint/bursa aspiration
- Informed consent
- Use standard precautions
- Prep and scrub to minimize introduction of bacteria
Is joint/bursa aspiration a sterile or clean procedure?
Sterile
What needles/syringes are required for joint aspirations?
- For anesthetic: sterile 1 inch 25 gauge needle and 5/10 mL syringe
- For aspiration: sterile 1.5 inch 18/19 gauge needle w/three 30 mL or two 60 mL syringes
What tubes are needed for aspiration?
- Red/green top containing Na heparin for crystals, total protein, glucose, RA latex
- Purple top w/EDTA for cell count and differential
- Yellow top for cultures
What do red/green top tubes contain and what do they test from aspirations?
- Contains Na heparin
- Tests for crystals, total protein, glucose, RA latex
What do purple top tubes contain and what do they test from aspirations?
- Contains EDTA
- Cell count and differential
What do yellow top tubes test from aspirations?
Cultures
Joint aspiration technique
- Attach 18 gauge to 30/60 mL syringe
- Insert needle at same point as anesthetic tract and advance toward joint
- Apply gentle pressure on opposite side to milk fluid toward needle
- Begin to withdraw fluid by pulling back on plunger of syringe
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
- Avoid use of joint for 1 day
- If infection suspected, broad spectrum abx for S. aureus and MRSA
- Call if signs of infections
When should admission be considered after joint aspiration?
For all suspected joint infections
Olecranon bursal aspiration technique
- Administer anesthetic on superior-lateral aspect of distended olecranon bursa
- Flex elbow 90 degrees
- Enter on a 90 degree angle superiorly/inferiorly and aspirate slowly until bursa sac is flat
Why shouldn’t an olecranon bursa be aspirated laterally or medially?
Ulnar and radius nerves run pretty superficially in the grooves
When should a bursa be aspirated until?
Until the bursa sac is flat
Follow up care of bursal aspiration
- Apply direct pressure at site and apply bandage w/ACE wrap
- Do not overuse joint for at least 2 days
- Call if signs of infection
Indications for joint injection
- Relieve inflammation/pain
- Tendonitis/bursitis
- OA and inflamm arthritis
- Gout/pseudogout
- Neuritis (carpal tunnel syndrome)
Contraindications of joint injection
- Cellulitis
- Bacteremia/septic effusion
- Coagulopathy/uncontrolled INR
- Joint prosthesis
- Acute fracture
- Inaccessible joints
- History of allergy to the injectables
- Lack of response after 3-4 injections
- Incompetent provider/uncooperative patient
Complications of joint infection
- Infection, bleeding, damage to underlying structures
- Pain, allergic reaction
- Intravascular injection
- PTX
- Need for further treatment
- Steroid flare
- Tendon rupture
Define steroid flare
Usually due to precipitate forming from preservative in multi-dose vial of lidocaine injected with the steroid
Treatment of steroid flare
Ice and NSAIDs
Use of single dose vials
Joint injections and tendons
- Avoid injecting directly into tendon
- Avoid in or near high load tendons (achilles, patellar, plantar fascia)
- Avoid concomitant quinolones
- Can cause tendon rupture
Precautions of joint injections
- Rest joint for 1-2 wks after
- Avoid trauma to articular cartilage (know anatomy and go slow)
- Wash povidone-iodine prep off bc it can burn the skin
What steroid has the highest proportion of anti-inflamm effect with lowest proportion of mineralcorticoid effect?
Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
What joints can Triamcinolone (Kenalog) be used in?
Any joint
Does Triamcinolone (Kenalog) precipitate with lidocaine?
No