Synovial Joint Fluid Analysis - Test, Procedure & Cost

Synovial joint fluid analysis is a series of tests used to determine problems within your joints.

Various Joint conditions like arthritis, gout, infections, and bleeding disorders can alter your synovial fluid. This is used to diagnose the cause of joint pain and inflammation. Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection.

Synovial fluid is a thick liquid that greases your joints and keeps them moving smoothly. It is present in your joints, including knees, shoulders, hips, hands, and feet.

In case you have joint symptoms like Pain, Redness, Swelling, and Fluid buildup; Synovial fluid analysis aids in determining the disease. It helps your doctor figure out if you have:

• Conditions that cause swelling of your joints, like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
• Various bacteria cause an infection, like septic arthritis.
• A deficiency of clotting factors causes bleeding disorders like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease.
• A disease that breaks down joints with time, like osteoarthritis.

Precautions to be taken before the test

You may need to fast for several hours before the test. The doctor will let you know if you need to fast and if there are any special instructions. Also, consider that the joint may be sore for a couple of days after the procedure. Serious complications, such as infection and bleeding, may happen but are very uncommon.

How is the test performed?

1. Firstly you will be given a local anesthetic injection to numb your joint. Then, a needle is inserted in the joint and some fluid is removed.
2. The amount of the sample to be taken depends on the jointisizend how many tests are to be done.
3. The fluid is sent to the laboratory, where a technician undergoes investigations.
4. The fluid is checked for its color, thi, sickness, and chemical contents like glucose, proteins, uric acid, and red and white blood cells.
5. Also, the fluid is determined for bacteria, viruses, or other germs

Interpretation of Results

If the results are abnormal:

• The fluid is cloudy or thick.
• More white blood cells may indicate an infection or another medical condition.
• A high uric acid level could indicate gout.
• A more red blood cell count could result from Injury or blood in the joint being a bleeding disorder.