musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
How To Aspirate or Inject a Prepatellar Bursa
Equipment for Aspirating or Injecting a Prepatellar Bursa
Antiseptic solution (eg,chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, isopropyl alcohol) Sterile gauze, gloves, adhesive bandage 20-mL syringe with 18- to 20-gauge needle for fluid withdrawal Needle insertion site anesthesia (eg, topical freezing spray and/or injectable 1%lidocainewithoutepinephrine, in a 3-mL syringe) Optional: For therapeutic injection, 5- to 10-mL syringe with 2 to 3 mL 1%lidocaine(withoutepinephrine) mixed with injectable depot corticosteroid (eg,triamcinoloneacetonide, 20 mg) Hemostat, if switching of syringe while the needle remains inserted is anticipated Some 3-, 5-, and 10-mL syringes For diagnostic aspiration, appropriate tubes for specimen collection, including blood culture bottles Having an assistant is helpful. 