Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry
Test Name:
SYNOVIAL FLUID (Biochemistry Specimen ID: SY) - JF
Test Code: See Reference Values section below
Clinical Information:
Alternate Name(s): Joint fluid

                                Synovia

 

Description: Synovial fluid contributes to joint stability and offer little or no resistance to shear force in moving joints. It is considered to be a filtrate of plasma combined with locally-synthesized hyaluronic acid. During inflammation, capillary permeability increases with loss of protein to the interstitial space, which in turn leads to the formation of a joint effusion.

 

Test Approval Requirements: Any test not listed on this page must be requested as a MISCELLANEOUS fluid test and requires approval by a Clinical Biochemist prior to reporting. Ordering providers should contact the Biochemist on duty through HSC paging prior to ordering any miscellaneous tests.

 

It is strongly recommended to collect a corresponding serum sample to compare to miscellaneous fluid results.


For more information see:
Collection Devices:
Specimen Required:
Synovial Fluid: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Synovial Fluid: 2.0 mL

Collection Information: Submit to the laboratory in a sterile collection container without anticoagulant.

 

DO NOT USE LAVENDER K2EDTA BLOOD TUBES FOR BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF SYNOVIAL FLUID.

 

Serum specimens should be submitted with synovial fluids for the following tests to ensure proper interpretation

TestSerum/Plasma Collection Time
Cholesterolwithin 6 hours of fluid collection
Triglycerideswithin 2 hours of fluid collection


Special Processing: If LD is requested, a sample aliquot must be made and remain at room temperature.
Referral:

Adult Volume: 2.0 mL

Pediatric Volume: 2.0 mL


Shipping & Storage: Refrigerated, except for aliquots for LD testing which must remain at room temperature.

Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Sciences Centre; St Boniface, Grace, and Seven Oaks hospitals; Westman lab. 
Requisition:
Reference Values:
Method of Analysis: Roche cobas Pro c503


See Synovial Fluid PRF Reference Intervals 
Availability:
Daily
Daily at Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface Hospital and Westman Lab. Other locations dependent on lab shipments to reference labs.
See Also:
More Information:
Interpretation & Assay Interferences: For interpretation guidance, please see: Fluids Interpretive Guide

References: 1. Cotten SW, Block DR. 2023. A Review of Current Practices and Future Trends in Body Fluid Testing. J Appl Lab Med. 8(5): 962-983.

2. Block DR, FLorkowski CM. “Body Fluids”, In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT. Editors. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th Ed. Philadelphia (PA): Elsevier; 2022. pp 456.e36.

3. Margaretten ME, Kohlwes J, Moore D, Bent S.2007. Does this adult patient have septic arthritis?  JAMA. 297:1478–88.

4. Horowitz DL, Katzap E, Horowitz S, Barilla-LaBarca ML. 2011. Approach to septic arthritis. Am Fam Physician. 84(6):653-660.