Infiltrations and arthrocentesis

Infiltrations and arthrocentesis are common procedures in the clinical practice of rheumatology, used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions.

Infiltrations consist of the injection of drugs, such as corticosteroids, local anesthetics, hyaluronic acid, among others, directly into the affected area, in order to relieve pain, inflammation and improve joint mobility. Infiltrations are generally performed with a fine needle, guided by ultrasound, radiography or direct palpation, and are a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in the rheumatologist's office. Conditions for which infiltrations may be used include osteoarthritis, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis and synovitis.

On the other hand, arthrocentesis is a procedure in which synovial fluid is extracted from an inflamed or painful joint in order to diagnose and treat diseases such as septic arthritis, gout and systemic inflammatory arthropathies. Arthrocentesis is usually performed under local anesthesia and a long, thin needle is used to withdraw synovial fluid. The synovial fluid can then be analyzed for signs of inflammation, infection or crystals, which can aid in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, arthrocentesis often relieves pain and swelling in the affected joint.