Puncture and drainage of the knee

Drainage of fluid in the articular cavity of the knee.

Indications

· Painful hemarthroses in cases of knee torsion: wait 24 to 48 hours before puncture and drainage to allow the hematoma to collect and to prevent recurrence.

· Hydarthrosis: injection of diagnostic fluid or removal of post-trauma serous fluid.

If pus is found in the joint space, surgical drainage is necessary.

Material

Large bore needle and syringe or trochar.

Technique
Figures 67, 68

· Rigorous asepsis: drapes and sterile gloves, clean with polyvidone iodine (see table page 7).

· Puncture with a trocar or large needle at an angle above and lateral to the knee cap, and 1/2 cm above and behind.

· Advance at an angle of 45° to the horizontal and sagittal planes, and push the needle behind the knee cap.

· To empty the cavity, squeeze the quadriceps muscle with the left hand while aspirating on the syringe with the other hand.

FIGURE