Synovial analysis

The examination of the synovial fluid (= synovial fluid analysis) provides a lot of information about the cause of the joint effusion and the underlying disease. The cell count can be used to assess whether it is an "inflammatory effusion" (example: chronic polyarthritis), a "non-inflammatory effusion" (example: osteoarthritis) or a "bloody effusion" (= haemarthrosis, for example following joint trauma). In certain cases, crystals can be found as causes of an inflammatory joint effusion (example: gout), or bacteria in the case of bacterial joint disease (= septic arthritis). Many other chemical and molecular biological examinations of the synovial fluid make it possible to characterize the disease as precisely as possible.

Required material: Synovial fluid without further additives

Minimum quantity: One drop is sufficient for a crystal preparation, at least 1.5 ml is required for a complete analysis.

Transport: The fresher the material, the better the microscopic evaluation. It is possible to send the material by post.

Billing: The synovial fluid analysis can be provided as a private medical or statutory health insurance service, in the latter case a referral slip for laboratory examinations is required.

Requirement: Please ensure that the material you send us reaches us by Friday midday at the latest. Please send the sample together with a request form to:

Hannover Medical School

Laboratory of the Clinical Department of Rheumatology and Immunology

Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1

D-30625 Hanover

If you have any questions, please contact the rheumatology laboratory

by telephone: 0511 / 532-3616 or -3632

by fax: 0511 / 532- 5648