Incision and Drainage of a Joint

What is incision and drainage of a joint?

Incision and drainage of a joint is surgery to drain an infected joint.

When is it used?

A healthcare provider performs this procedure to treat an infected joint, in addition to antibiotics.

How do I prepare for incision and drainage of a joint?

Plan for your care and recovery after the operation, especially if you are to have general anesthesia. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help you with your day-to-day duties.

Follow any other instructions your provider gives you. If you are having general anesthesia, do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.

What happens during the procedure?

Your healthcare provider will give you a regional or general anesthetic, depending on the joint being treated. A regional anesthetic numbs part of your body while you remain awake. It should keep you from feeling pain during the operation. A general anesthetic relaxes your muscles, puts you to sleep, and also prevents you from feeling pain.

Your provider will make a cut into the joint, drain the infection, and remove damaged tissue. Your provider may then close the cut or leave it open to drain. He or she may give you antibiotics.

What happens after the procedure?

You may be in the hospital for a number of days, depending on the findings at the time of the operation. You will be given pain medicine. You may need to have the procedure again before you leave the hospital. You may need to take antibiotics.

You may have to pack the wound and change the dressing. Someone will show you how to do this.

You may have a cast or splint on your arm or leg to limit its movement. When the cast or splint is removed, you may be given exercises to help regain range of motion in the joint.

Ask your healthcare provider when you can go back to your normal activities, including returning to work. Ask when you should come back for a checkup.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

It may remove the infection in the joint. Removing the infection prevents damage to the cartilage and bone. It also helps prevent spread of the infection into the bone or blood.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

• There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider.
• A regional anesthetic may not numb the area quite enough and you may feel some minor discomfort. Also, in rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia. In most cases regional anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia.
• There is a risk of infection or bleeding from this procedure.
• The joint, local nerves, tendons, or blood vessels may be damaged.
• The infection may not go away despite treatment.
• The infection could spread to other areas.

You should ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your provider right away if:

• The wound begins to bleed and won't stop.
• Your pain increases.
• You have more swelling.
• You feel sick or faint.
• You start to have any signs or symptoms of infection. These include:
  • Your skin is redder or more painful.
  • You have red streaks from the wound going toward your heart.
  • The wound area is very warm to touch.
  • You have pus or other fluid coming from the wound area.
  • You have a fever higher than 101.5° F (38.6° C).
  • You have chills, nausea, vomiting, or muscle aches.

Call during office hours to:

• Make your follow-up appointment.
• Ask any questions you have about the procedure or its result.