Ultrasound-guided Joint or Cyst Drainage

A cyst is a swelling filled with synovial fluid. This fluid is the lubricating fluid usually found inside the joint. Cysts can occur in the knee, wrist, legs, and arms.

The most common joint that is drained is the knee joint. There are many reasons why the knee may have fluid in the joint. The most common causes include direct trauma, fractures, ligament or meniscus tears, or arthritis. An aspiration is a procedure whereby a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain joint fluid from the joint. This is performed under ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement of the needle. This procedure is helpful in relieving pain and stiffness in the joint by decreasing the pressure caused by the increase in fluid. In the case of a possible septic (infected) joint, or to assess for certain types of arthritis, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, the fluid is sent to the lab for further evaluation.

Ultrasound technology is effective in the visualization, diagnosis, and treatment of several musculoskeletal conditions. The advantage of ultrasound is to visualize the needle during the procedure and achieve accuracy.