The procedure involves the patient being positioned in a manner that allows easy access to the affected joint. After cleaning the area with an antiseptic, a local anesthetic may be administered to minimize discomfort. A sterile needle is then inserted into the joint space to withdraw fluid. The aspirated fluid is collected in a syringe for further analysis. In the context of toxicology, special care is taken to ensure that the sample is not contaminated and accurately reflects the joint environment.