What are the physical characteristics of normal synovial fluid from the knee joint?
Color—colorless and transparent.
Amount—thin film covering surfaces of synovium and cartilage within joint space.
Cell count—<200/mm 3 with <25% neutrophils.
Protein—1.3 to 1.7 g/dL (33% of normal plasma protein).
Glucose—within 20 mg/dL of the serum glucose level after 6 hours of fasting.
Temperature—32°C (peripheral joints are cooler than core body temperature).
String sign (measure of viscosity)—1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm).
pH—7.4.
