Joint aspiration refers to the process of removing fluid from a joint. It is usually performed before a joint injection is done but can sometimes be a stand alone technique for the relief of joint pains.
Fluid called synovial fluid builds up when a joint is inflamed. This is called a joint effusion and the pressure that is generated can make the joint more painful and stiff.
Removing this build up of joint effusion fluid is called joint aspiration. It needs to be done under sterile conditions. The amount of fluid removed will vary depending on which joint is involved and on how big an effusion is present. I've often removed well over 100ml of fluid from an inflamed knee but an elbow joint effusion might hold only 10 or 20 milliliters.
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