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Joint Aspiration Center - Great Falls, MT

Great Falls Orthopedic Surgeon Doctors for Joint Aspiration

Type of Physician: Orthopedic Surgeon

What is a Orthopedic Surgeon ?

A certification by the Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; practitioners focus on the investigation, preservation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. Birth defects, trauma, infections, tumors and metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system are problems cared for by the orthopaedic surgeon.

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery

Common Name: Orthopedist

Orthopedic Surgeon Doctors in Great Falls *

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Michael A Dube
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
W Lea Gorsuch
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Aimee V Hachigian-Gould MD
Aimee V Hachigian-Gould
500 15th Ave S
STE G12
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 731-8080

Dahl, Hackethorn, Lane, Mailander, Marlen, Mazurki
John C Hackethorn
401 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-4088

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Charles D Jennings
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Dahl, Hackethorn, Lane, Mailander, Marlen, Mazurki
John I Lane
401 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-4088

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Michael E Luckett
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Dahl, Hackethorn, Lane, Mailander, Marlen, Mazurki
J C Mailander
401 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-4088

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Patrick J Thomas
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Gregory S Tierney
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
J W Bloemendaal
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Keith D Bortnem
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Orthopaedic Associates
Alexander N Chung
500 15th Ave S
STE 1
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-3650

Great Falls Clinic Central
Nicholas D Bonfilio
1400 29th St S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 454-2171

Great Falls Clinic Central
Michael J Hennessy
1400 29th St S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 454-2171

Fort Harrison VA Hospital Orthopaedics
Michael Agee
3687 Veterans Dr
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(406) 442-6410

Fort Harrison VA Hospital Orthopaedics
Don L Bishop
3687 Veterans Dr
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(406) 442-6410

Fort Harrison VA Hospital Orthopaedics
Joel E Cleary
3687 Veterans Dr
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(406) 442-6410

Fort Harrison VA Hospital Orthopaedics
Peter P Wendt
3687 Veterans Dr
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(406) 442-6410

Great Falls, Montana

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Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis)

What is a joint aspiration?

A joint aspiration is a procedure whereby a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain fluid from the joint. Joint aspiration is typically performed as an office procedure or at the bedside of hospitalized patients. Joint aspiration is medically referred to as arthrocentesis.

What is the purpose of joint aspiration?

Joint aspiration is used to obtain joint fluid for examination in the laboratory. Analysis of joint fluid can help to define causes of joint swelling or arthritis, such as infection, gout, and rheumatoid disease. Joint fluid can be tested for white cell count, crystals, protein, glucose, as well as cultured to detect infection. Each of these laboratory parameters can be helpful in defining the cause of a particular form of arthritis.

Joint aspiration can also be helpful in relieving joint swelling and pain. Removal of joint fluid that is inflamed can also remove the white blood cells within that are sources of enzymes that can be destructive to the joint. Occasionally, cortisone medications are injected into the joint during the joint aspiration in order to rapidly relieve joint inflammation and further reduce symptoms.

How is joint aspiration performed?

The skin over the joint is sterilized using a liquid, typically iodine solution (Betadine). Local anesthetic is used in the area of the joint; either by injection, topical liquid freezing, or both. A needle with a syringe attached is inserted within the joint an fluid is sucked back (aspirated) into the syringe. For certain conditions, the doctor will also inject medication into the joint after fluid removal. The needle is then removed and a Band-Aid or dressing is applied over the entry point.

What are complications of joint aspiration?

Complications of joint aspiration are uncommon. Possible com...

Recommended Reading Related to Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis)

Hydroxyapatite Crystal Disease »

What is hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite is the major component, and an essential ingredient, of normal bone and teeth. It is hydroxyapatite that makes up bone mineral and the matrix of teeth.

What are hydroxyapatite crystals?

Hydroxyapatite molecules can group together (crystallize) to form microscopic clumps, called hydroxyapatite crystals.

Tiny crystals of hydroxyapatite sometimes form in or around joints and can cause inflammation of joints and tissues around the joints, such as tendons and ligaments. They have been described particularly as a cause of rotator cuff inflammation of the shoulder.

The inflammation caused by hydroxyapatite crystals has been referred to as hydroxyapatite crystal disease.

Is hydroxyapatite crystal disease the same as gout or pseudogout?

No. These conditions are similar in that they are all caused by the inflammation that results from...

Emergency Contact for Great Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Great Falls Hospitals *

Benefis Healthcare West Campus
500 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59403
(406)455-5000

Benefis Healthcare East Campus
1101 26th St
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406)455-5000

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