Joint Aspiration (Tap): This is a medical procedure that involves using a sterile needle and syringe to extract fluid from a joint. It's typically performed either in a doctor's office or at a patient's bedside in the hospital. The procedure begins by sterilizing the skin over the joint with a disinfectant liquid. A local anesthetic is then applied to numb the area, either through an injection or a topical freezing agent, or sometimes both. A needle attached to a syringe is carefully inserted into the joint, and the fluid is drawn out (aspirated). In some cases, medication is injected into the joint after the fluid has been removed. Once the procedure is complete, the needle is taken out and a bandage or dressing is placed over the entry site. The extracted joint fluid is usually sent to a laboratory for analysis to identify the cause of the swelling, which could be due to infection, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions. Joint aspiration can effectively alleviate joint swelling and pain. Occasionally, medications are administered directly into the joint during the procedure to quickly reduce inflammation and further alleviate symptoms.
