Joint aspiration technique and procedure

Dr. Peter Lloyd of Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center in Encinitas, California, is a board-certified rheumatologist with a wide range of experience and skills in rheumatology. He is excited to offer diagnosis and treatment of a selection of conditions that can impact a patient’s quality of life. In some instances, he may need to provide diagnostics to learn more about a patient’s condition and how to treat it. Sometimes, he may need to remove fluid from around a joint on the body to alleviate problems such as swelling or evaluate further to diagnose a joint problem or disorder. This is often known as joint aspiration and is a specialized technique performed for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

What is joint aspiration?

The removal of fluid from around a joint is known as joint aspiration. It is typically performed under local anesthetic for patient comfort. The treatment is often done on the knee but may also be performed elsewhere on the body in joints, such as the hip, ankle, wrist, elbow, or shoulder. The fluid removal may be done to alleviate discomfort or obtain a sample for further evaluation.

What other diagnostic procedures need to be done for joint issues?

Dr. Peter Lloyd has a selection of technologically-advanced devices and instruments at his disposal to be used in evaluating a patient’s unique medical needs. He may perform joint aspiration and other procedures or diagnostic services, including x-ray images, bone scans, CT scans, and MRIs. During an evaluation, he will discuss with patients the tools he may use to provide them information regarding their medical condition of concern.

Who might benefit from joint aspiration?

Joint aspiration may be used to diagnose any of the following conditions:

• Gout
• Joint infection
• Bursitis
• Various types of arthritis

Find out more about joint aspiration technique and procedure

If you live in the Encinitas, California area and want to speak to a board-certified rheumatologist about your specific needs, Dr. Peter Lloyd and his team are here for you! Call 760-509-2429 to request an appointment at 477 N El Camino Real, Suite #D304.

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