Suspicion of septic arthritis
Suspicion of crystal induced arthritis
Evaluation of therapeutic response for septic arthritis
Unexplained arthritis with synovial effusion
Evaluation of joint capsule integrity if overlying laceration
Relative: therapeutic (decrease intra-articular pressure, injection of anesthetics/steroids)
Arthrocentesis: hip
Arthrocentesis: shoulder
Arthrocentesis: elbow
Arthrocentesis: knee
Arthrocentesis: ankle
Arthrocentesis: wrist
Arthrocentesis: toe
Arthrocentesis: finger