Gelenkpunktion
Gelenkpunktion, known in English as arthrocentesis, is a medical procedure in which synovial fluid is aspirated from a joint using a needle and syringe. It serves diagnostic purposes, such as evaluating joint effusions for infection, crystal arthritis, or inflammatory disease, and therapeutic purposes, such as relieving pressure or delivering medications.
The procedure is performed under sterile conditions, usually with the patient in a seated or supine position.
Indications include acute or chronic joint effusion with suspected infection, crystal arthropathy (gout, pseudogout), inflammatory arthritis,
Risks are generally low but include infection, bleeding, pain, injury to surrounding structures, and transient joint
Postprocedure care involves wound care, cold compression, rest of the joint, and monitoring for signs of infection.