Observational studyArthritis research & therapy2025
Bedside needle arthroscopy for native joint bacterial arthritis in a real-world clinical practice setting: a prospective cohort study.
Observational study in Arthritis research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Needle arthroscopy as an emerging office-based tool: Promising diagnostic value but limited evidence for therapeutic equivalence-A systematic review and frequentist meta-analysis.Journal of experimental orthopaedics · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundBacterial (i.e., septic) arthritis requires prompt source control, including drainage of the infected synovial fluid, often through arthrocentesis (needle aspiration) or surgical intervention, in combination with antibiotics to prevent joint damage; however, when surgical intervention is required, conventional arthroscopy can lead to treatment delays and anesthesia-related complications. To overcome these delays, needle arthroscopy was recently developed to offer the possibility of 2-mm diameter arthroscopy lavage under local anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate bedside needle arthroscopy under local anesthesia to demonstrate its potential as an effective, minimally invasive alternative for timely diagnosis and joint lavage in patients with (suspected) native bacterial arthritis in a real-world clinical practice setting.
methodsOver a 30-month period, this prospective, double center cohort study included patients with either confirmed (positive synovial fluid culture) or highly suspected (≥ 2 local signs and ≥ 1 systemic sign) native joint bacterial arthritis. The primary outcome was the need for reoperation (conventional arthroscopy or arthrotomy) within 30 days. Bivariate analysis assessed differences in patient and treatment characteristics between successful and failed needle arthroscopic debridement.
resultsForty-two patients (44 native joints) underwent needle arthroscopy. The mean age was 67 years (SD 16), the mean BMI was 26.8 kg/m
conclusionsA single bedside needle arthroscopy was effective in treating 86% of patients with confirmed or suspected native joint bacterial arthritis in a real-world practice, avoiding the need for general anesthesia or conventional surgery. This approach represents a safe and effective, minimally invasive alternative that can be rapidly implemented, enabling early joint lavage and potentially reducing the risk of secondary osteoarthritis.
trial registrationWe pre-registered this trial on the Dutch Trial Register, later called CCMO (NTR 21076, CCMO NL78387.018.21).
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