Sonographically guided distal radioulnar joint injection: technique and validation in a cadaveric model

Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) disorders are uncommon but important causes of ulnar-sided wrist pain and disability. Fluoroscopically guided injections may be performed to diagnose or treat DRUJ-related pain or as part of a diagnostic arthrogram. Sonographic guidance may provide a favorable alternative to fluoroscopic guidance for distal DRUJ injections. This report describes and validates a sonographically guided technique for DRUJ injections in an unembalmed cadaveric model. An experienced clinician used sonographic guidance to inject diluted colored latex into the DRUJs of 10 unembalmed cadaveric specimens. Subsequent dissection by a fellowship-trained hand surgeon confirmed accurate injections in all 10 specimens. Two cases of ulnocarpal flow, indicative of triangular fibrocartilage injury, were noted during injection and subsequently confirmed during dissection. Clinicians should consider using sonographic guidance to perform DRUJ injections when clinically indicated. Further research should explore the efficacy of sonographically guided DRUJ injections to treat patients with painful DRUJ syndromes or to evaluate the triangular fibrocartilage complex in patients with ulnar wrist pain syndromes.