musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
How To Aspirate or Inject a Prepatellar Bursa
Step by Step Description of Aspirating or Injecting a Prepatellar Bursa
Aspirate at the base of the effusion; avoid an injection trajectory that risks piercing the patella. Prepare the area with antiseptic solution. Spray freezing spray at the needle insertion site until it just blanches and/or inject a skin wheal of local anesthetic (eg, ≤ 1 mL). Wear gloves. Insert the needle (attached to the aspirating syringe) into the skin at the base (bottom) of the effusion. Gently pull back periodically on the plunger as you advance the needle.If the needle hits bone,retract and then readvance it at a different angle. Fluid will enter the syringe when the bursa is entered. Drain all fluid from the bursa. Use your fingertips to apply gentle pressure to the bursal periphery to milk the fluid toward the needle tip. If injecting the bursa, stabilize the needle hub with your hand and switch syringes. If the needle is on too tight, hold the hub of the needle with a hemostat. Inject any drugs and withdraw the needle. Apply an adhesive bandage or dressing. Transfer bursal effusion samples to tubes and other transport media for Synovial fluid examination . Inspect the fluid for blood and fat. 