About Arthrocentesis
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with no large incisions.Provides rapid diagnostic information from synovial fluid analysis.Offers immediate therapeutic relief from joint pain and pressure.Typically performed as an outpatient procedure.Low risk of complications compared to surgical alternatives.Can be both diagnostic and therapeutic in a single session./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Unexplained joint effusion (swelling) and pain.
- Suspected septic (infectious) arthritis.
- Diagnosis of crystal-induced arthropathies like gout or pseudogout.
- Evaluation of inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
- Hemarthrosis (blood in the joint) following trauma.
- Therapeutic drainage to relieve pressure and pain from a large effusion.
- Administration of intra-articular medications (e.g., corticosteroids).
How to prepare
- Discussion of medical history, allergies, and current medications with the orthopedic doctor.
- Disclosure of any blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) as instructed.
- Informed consent process explaining the procedure, benefits, and risks.
- No fasting is typically required unless sedation is planned.
- The skin over the target joint will be cleaned and sterilized.
- Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the needle insertion site (rare).
- Bleeding or bruising (hematoma) in or around the joint.
- Allergic reaction to local anesthetic or skin cleanser.
- Pain or discomfort during or after the procedure.
- Damage to surrounding structures like cartilage, tendons, or nerves (very rare).
- Post-procedure flare of inflammation.
- Failure to obtain adequate fluid for analysis.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate: A small bandage is applied; mild soreness is common.
- Activity: Rest the joint for 24-48 hours; avoid strenuous activity for a few days.
- Ice Application: Apply ice packs to the area to reduce swelling and pain.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers (as advised by doctor) can manage discomfort.
- Follow-up: Attend follow-up appointments to discuss fluid analysis results and further treatment plans.
- Monitoring: Contact your doctor if you experience signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, fever, or pus).
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering arthrocentesis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for arthrocentesis in India include Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Miot Hospital Chennai, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform arthrocentesis. MediFyr helps you compare orthopedists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for arthrocentesis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Arthrocentesis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated orthopedics teams and experience managing patients undergoing arthrocentesis.
Sara Reddy is a 42-year-old software...
Sara Reddy is a 42-year-old software developer and mother of two young children. She has a five-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) managed with medication. Recently, her left elbow became exceptionally swollen, painful, and 'locked,' preventing her from picking up her toddler or working comfortably at her computer. Her rheumatologist refers her to an orthopedic specialist for an arthrocentesis. The doctor recommends the procedure to reduce the painful pressure and to check for a joint infection, which is a risk with RA treatments. Sara is nervous but desperate for relief. The procedure is quick; the doctor removes 12mL of cloudy fluid, and Sara feels the tension in her joint ease immediately. Tests rule out infection, confirming it was an aggressive RA flare. With the swelling reduced, her regular RA medications become more effective. Emotionally, Sara moved from feeling defeated and worried about caring for her family to empowered and reassured, seeing the procedure as a valuable tool to regain control during disease flares.
Orthopedists for Arthrocentesis
Explore experienced orthopedists who regularly perform arthrocentesis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 17 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 25 Years Experience
- Joint Replacement Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 10 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 25 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 12 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 8 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 30 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 25 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar