ROLES OF LABORATORY WORKERS IN ACCURACY OF SYNOVIAL FLUID ANALYSIS; REVIEW

Abstract

The collection and analysis of synovial fluid in veterinary medicine was initially employed for diagnosing lameness and joint disorders in large animals. As knowledge and expertise in the medical, radiographic, and orthopedic fields have advanced, our emphasis in small animal arthrology and orthopedics has broadened from solely addressing fractures and cruciate repairs to encompassing the assessment of degenerative, immune-mediated, infectious, and non-inflammatory joint diseases. Laboratory procedures for small animal specimens were adjusted to suit the reduced sample quantities. Simultaneously, there has been a swift rise in the quantity of serologic tests for identifying infectious pathogens and immunological diseases. Veterinarians can now identify and manage an increasing array of joint illnesses from these origins. Laboratory examination of synovial fluid (SF) is a crucial component in the diagnostic assessment of patients with joint disorders. Laboratory analysis of SF can yield critical insights for diagnosis, contribute to patient monitoring and treatment, and ultimately enhance the patient's health and quality of life. Laboratory examination of synovial fluid is hardly conducted in Croatian medical biochemistry facilities. As a result, protocols for SF laboratory testing lack adequate harmonization.