Synovial fluid tests

Infection, crystal arthropathies, osteoarthritis, trauma and a variety of systemic diseases can all lead to a painful, swollen peripheral joint, septic arthritis being the most serious cause. Synovial fluid (SF) analysis is widely used to aid the diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic arthritis, and can be diagnostic in patients with bacterial infections or crystal-induced synovitis. Physicians competent in joint aspiration should be encouraged to do this unless they are dealing with a suspected infected prosthetic joint, which should be aspirated in theatre under strict asepsis.
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Assessment of the rheumatological patient Source Type: research