Search form

[RA] Effusions, grade 1–3

Patient Positioning

Patient seated in front of the examiner, hand palm up resting on a examination table.

Probe Positioning

Place the transducer on a longitudinal planes over the joints and tendons of interest. Do not use any pressure - especially while looking for effusion or using doppler mode. Use dynamic scanning to check the movement of the tendons during flexion / extension or against resistance to check the pulleys.

mcj: metacarpophalangeal joint
e: effusion

Note: Effusion 1° (not pathologic) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

pij: proximal interphalangeal joint
​e: effusion

Note: Effusion 2° of the pij in a patient with rheumatic arthritis

pij: proximal interphalangeal joint
dij: distal interphalangeal joint
e: effusion

Note: Synovial effusion 3° in a patient with rheumatic arthritis