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Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal joint: description of technique
Gregory L Umphrey1, Jeff S Brault, Mark-Friedrich B Hurdle
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. umphrey.gregory@mayo.edu
Objective:
To describe a new technique to perform an ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint.
Design:
Ultrasound-guided injection of the TMC joint was completed on fresh frozen cadaver hand specimens using diatriazoate meglumine contrast. A fluoroscopic posteroanterior image of the TMC joint was then obtained to verify intra-articular placement of the contrast.
Setting:
Anatomy lab in a medical college.
Specimens:
Seventeen fresh frozen cadaver hand specimens.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcomes Measure:
Verification of this technique was confirmed using fluoroscopy and contrast.
Results:
Sixteen (94%) of 17 joints injected showed contrast material within the TMC joint with a single cutaneous puncture. One intra-articular injection was initially misplaced into the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint.
Conclusions:
Ultrasound may be used to accurately perform intra-articular TMC injections. Ultrasound provides a viable alternative to fluoroscopy when accurate injection into the TMC joint is required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
