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Synovial fluid analysis after joint aspiration is useful to determine if there is arthritis within the joint and if so, the underlying cause.  Examining the color, clarity, and viscosity during aspiration can help identify pathologic joints.  Sending the fluid to the lab for analysis of white cell count, differential count, crystals, Gram stain, and cultures,  are the most useful studies, to more accurately differentiate disease states such as septic arthritis, gout, pseudogout, as well as  the various categories of joint effusions.