Synovial Fluid Analysis of Intraarticular Elbow Fracture

Synovial fluid aspiration (act of using an 18 gauge needle to obtain synovial fluid from the elbow) in the emergency room for patients with the eligible elbow fracture (as defined in inclusion/exclusion criteria) is performed in conjunction with the anesthetic injection as part of standard of care. The elbow will be prepped as per usual for the anesthetic injection. An 18 gauge needle will be inserted through a lateral approach. The subject's elbow will be aspirated. The syringe with the aspirate would be removed from the needle while the needle would remain in the subject's elbow joint. The syringe with anesthetic would then be connected to the needle, and the anesthetic would be injected into the elbow joint. Therefore, no risks from a separate aspiration would be conferred to the patient.