Synovial fluid analysis
Four questions
- *The single most informative test in any acute arthritis* - and the one most often omitted
- Four questions, answered simultaneously
- Is it infected? - cell count, Gram stain, culture
- Is it crystal? - polarised light microscopy
- Is it inflammatory? - cell count and differential
- Is it blood? - haemarthrosis
- Normal synovial fluid: <3.5 mL, clear, pale yellow, viscous (hyaluronan), <200 cells/microL, no crystals, glucose ~ serum
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