Placement of intra-articular injections verified by mini air-arthrography.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and assess a simple, inexpensive method for ascertaining the placement of intra-articular injections for knee osteoarthritis


METHODS
During a one year period patients with "dry" osteoarthritis of the knee who received intra-articular therapy were tested by air-arthrography. Along with triamcinolone and lignocaine (lidocaine), 5 ml of air was injected into the joint. On subsequent lateral and anterior-posterior radiographs a correct placement was verified by a sharply defined shadow of air in the suprapatellar pouch, while extra-articular air was diffusely spread in the surrounding tissue.


RESULTS
In 51 of 56 cases the injection was correctly placed. In the remaining five cases the injection was immediately repeated and positioned within the joint. No adverse events were seen that could be ascribed to the use of air during the study, although bleeding in the quadriceps was seen one week after an extra-articular injection.


CONCLUSIONS
With mini-air arthrography, it is possible to test the placement of intra-articular injections in knee joints. The method is proposed as a learning tool as well as providing a means of quality assurance in studies involving intra-articular injections.
Bliddal
H
H
Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen Municipal and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen Denmark.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005938:Glucocorticoids