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7

Arthrocentesis Technique

1
Bryan T. Torres and Felix Michael Duerr 2
1 Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
2 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO, USA

7.1 Introduction

Joints are complex structures that can allow varying degrees of motion. Fibrous joints (e.g. tibi-
ofibular joint) and cartilaginous joints (e.g. pubic symphysis) offer little to no motion and have no
joint cavity. However, synovial or diarthrodial (freely movable) joints (e.g. hip joint) allow wide
degrees of motion and have fluid‐filled joint cavities. This fluid, called synovial fluid, is a protein‐
rich ultrafiltrate of plasma and plays an important role in joint health. It contains hyaluronic acid,
sugars, electrolytes, and enzymes that help provide nutrition to intra‐articular structures, aid in
joint lubrication, and act as a shock absorber during joint motion. By sampling it, clinicians can
glean valuable information on the health of a joint or the presence and type of pathology
(Chapter 9). Fluid evaluation is indicated for various clinical presentations (e.g. Box 7.1) and can
also be used to gauge a patient’s response to therapy. Despite the relative simplicity in obtaining
synovial fluid samples by arthrocentesis (i.e. joint tap), this diagnostic tool remains underutilized
in veterinary medicine.

Box 7.1 Principal Indications for Arthrocentesis

When to consider arthrocentesis?
Joint effusion or swelling
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Joint pain
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Lameness (e.g. shifting leg and unexplained lameness)
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Altered gait or limb function
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Fever of unknown origin
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Generalized pain and weakness
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Suspected sepsis
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Canine Lameness, First Edition. Edited by Felix Michael Duerr.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Companion website: www.wiley.com/go/duerr/lameness