KNEE ARTHROCENTESIS

Course overview

ARTHROCENTESIS IS A PROCEDURE PERFORMED TO ASPIRATE SYNOVIAL FLUID FROM A JOINT CAVITY. IT HAS BOTH DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC UTILIZATION. WHILE ARTHROCENTESIS IS DEEMED TO BE A MINOR SURGICAL PROCEDURE, THERE IS ALWAYS POTENTIAL TO INJURE BLOOD VESSELS, NERVES, AND TENDONS. THUS, THE PROCEDURE SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED BY CLINICIANS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANATOMY OF THE JOINT. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, COMPLICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN PERFORMING KNEE ARTHROCENTESIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING THIS PROCEDURE.