Accuracy of injection into the basal joint of the thumb.
To investigate the accuracy of intra-articular injection of the basal joint and to determine the rate of soft-tissue extravasation of injected material in successful intra-articular injection, we injected the basal joint of 30 hands with radiopaque dye (with fluoroscopy guiding needle placement in 8 cases) and then used fluoroscopy to check injection accuracy. Results were recorded depending on the location of the injected dye on fluoroscopic examination. Rates of intra-articular accuracy and soft-tissue extravasation for successful intra-articular injections were 100% and 25% for the fluoroscopy-guided group and 81.8% and 25% for the "blind" group. This study's accuracy rate for intra-articular injection of the basal joint is comparable to the rates reported for injection of larger joints. There is a relatively high soft-tissue extravasation rate for successful intra-articular injection.
Pollard
Mark A
MA
Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. pollard-mark@cooperhleath.edu
Cermak
Mary Beth
MB
Buck
Walter R
WR
Williams
D Patrick
DP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013933:Thumb
D003287:Contrast Media