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Arthroscopic Assessment of Landmark-Guided Knee Injection Accuracy: A Prospective Observational Study
Yusuf Altuntas1, Enver Ipek, Bahadır Balkanlı
1Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology, Health Science University Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objective:
To arthroscopically assess the accuracy of landmark-guided knee injections performed without imaging guidance and examine the effect of operator experience on accuracy and procedure time.
Design:
This single-center prospective observational study included adult patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for isolated meniscal pathology between April 2024 and December 2025. Landmark-guided injections were performed using the anterolateral "soft spot" approach, and intra-articular needle placement was assessed arthroscopically.
Results:
A total of 162 patients were included. Correct intra-articular placement was confirmed in 118 cases (72.8%), whereas 44 injections (27.2%) were extra-articular or suboptimal. Injection accuracy increased significantly with operator experience (53.2%, 75.4%, and 87.0% across experience groups; P=0.006), while procedure time decreased significantly (P<0.001). Cartilage contact occurred in 14.2% and meniscal contact in 11.7% of cases. Placement accuracy was significantly lower in patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m² (P=0.011).
Conclusion:
Arthroscopy showed a substantial rate of suboptimal placement and tissue contact with landmark-guided knee injections. Although operator experience influenced both accuracy and procedure time, the findings highlight the limitations of landmark-guided techniques, particularly in patients with less reliable anatomical landmarks.
