[A new method for radio-carpal joint injection]

Abstract

Objective: Previous techniques for radiocarpal joint injection introduce the needle directly between the navicular and the radius. We propose here a new technique using the same puncture site for midcarpal and radiocarpal arthrograms without need for needle reinsertion.

Materials and methods: A prospective study of 85 radiocarpal injections for arthrography was performed. For each case, the needle tip was positioned at the medial part of the proximal scaphoid, under the mid carpal joint, and directed obliquely with a 45 degrees angle to the joint space to reach the radiocarpal joint. In case of midcarpal and radiocarpal arthrograms, a single puncture site was always used.

Results: Injection of the radiocarpal joint was successful in 82 of the 82 cases.

Conclusion: The method proposed here is simple, efficient and uses a single site of puncture in cases requiring bi-compartmental injections.