Modified technique for fluid aspiration from the hip in patients with prosthetic hips.

A modified technique was used for diagnostic aspiration of fluid from the hip in 185 patients who had previously undergone total hip arthroplasty. The aspiration needle was advanced past the lateral aspect of the shaft of the prosthesis and into the dependent portion of the joint. Fluid was successfully aspirated in 181 of 185 patients; thus the dry-tap rate was 2.2% (four of 185 patients). The modified technique was simple, could be performed quickly, and was effective for sampling joint fluid in patients with hip prostheses.