Table 1.

Classification of the synovial fluid of the knee.33, 34, 35, 36

	Normal	Non-inflammatory	Inflammatory	Infectious	Hemorrhagic
Volume (mL)	<3.5	>3.5	>3.5	>3.5	>3.5
Viscosity	High	High	Low	Variable	Low
Color	Light, colorless	Light yellowish	Yellowish	Variable (opaque)	Red
Leuc (mm3)	<200	<2000	5000–75,000	>50,000	Similar blood level
Pols (%)	<25	<25	50–70	>70	Similar blood level
Gram	Negative	Negative	Negative	Often +	Negative

Observation: DPVS has characteristics of the hemorrhagic group, however with normal viscosity.