ASPIRATION OF THE KNEE
In the absence of reliable evidence, it is the opinion of the workgroup that physicians may consider aspirating painful, tense effusions after knee injury.
Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries (2022)
This Guideline was Endorsed by: AMSSM, AAPM&R

Rationale

No relevant articles have been published in the last 20 years regarding the benefit of aspiration in acutely injured knees.

Benefits/Harms of Implementation

Acute knee aspiration has the potential to decrease pain and improve early ROM in ACL injured knees. Acute aspiration may also decrease the presence of cytokines which may be implicated in the cascade progressing to osteoarthritis following ACL tear. Aspiration of the knee has the potential to introduce infection in an acutely injured knee.

Outcome Importance

Unclear.

Cost Effectiveness/Resource Utilization

Minimal cost, and minimal use of resources to perform aspiration.

Acceptability

If there are positive clinical implications, knee aspiration would be an acceptable treatment for acutely ACL injured knees when indicated.

Feasibility

Knee aspiration in acute ACL tears, if indicated, would be feasible in many situations. Prospective, randomized trials will be needed to determine the effect of aspiration of the hematoma following acute ACL tear in reducing pain and/or improving clinical outcome.

Future Research

Prospective, randomized trials will be needed to determine the effect of aspiration of the hematoma following acute ACL tear in reducing pain and/or improving clinical outcome. 


LEARN MORE ABOUT AAOS

Upcoming Quality Releases

FIND OUT MORE

The Guideline Development Process