Accuracy and dispersal of subacromial and glenohumeral injections in cadavers.
OBJECTIVE
"Blind" shoulder injections are often inaccurate and infiltrate untargeted structures. We tested a hypothesis that optimizing certain anatomical and positional factors would improve accuracy and reduce dispersal.


METHODS
We evaluated one subacromial and one glenohumeral injection technique on cadavers.


RESULTS
Mean accuracy was 91% for subacromial-targeted and 74 and 91% (worst- and best-case scenarios) for joint-targeted injections. Mean dispersal was 19% for subacromial-targeted and 16% for joint-targeted injections. All results bettered those reported previously.


CONCLUSIONS
These "optimized" techniques might improve accuracy and limit dispersal of blind shoulder injections in clinical situations, benefiting efficacy and safety. However, evaluation is required in a clinical setting.
Hanchard
Nigel
N
Teesside Centre for Rehabilitation Sciences, The James Cook University Hospital, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK. n.hanchard@tees.ac.uk
Shanahan
Donal
D
Howe
Tracey
T
Thompson
Jonathan
J
Goodchild
Lorna
L
D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001175:Arthrography; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D004396:Coloring Agents