Removing fluid from a joint (joint aspiration) for laboratory testing can help a doctor diagnose the nature and severity of a patient’s condition. Some types of conditions, such as tendonitis or bursitis, benefit from the injection of medications into the joint space. Joint injections or aspirations are usually done under local anesthesia in the doctor’s office.
Joints that are commonly injected include the knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow and wrist, as well as small joints of the hands and feet.
Joint injections are given to treat inflammatory joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and osteoarthritis. Most joint injections use anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids. These are frequently used to slow down the accumulation of cells responsible for producing inflammation within the joint space.
Hyaluronic acid (Hyalgan, Synvisc, Supartz, etc) is a viscous lubricating substance that may relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee or other degenerative joint diseases. These substances are believed to mimic the natural environment in the joint space and may prolong the need for joint replacement surgery in some patients.