Medical Health Encyclopedia

Culture - joint fluid


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Joint aspiration
Joint aspiration
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Alternative Names

Joint fluid culture


Normal Values

The test result is considered normal if no organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) grow in the laboratory dish.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results are a sign of infection in the joint. Infections may include:



Review Date: 12/01/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




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