Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Deep and Superficial Joint Injections

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound and its association with joint structure by comparing success and extravasation rates of the glenohumeral joint and the ankle joint injections. Material and Methods: MR arthrography examinations of 114 glenohumeral joints and 86 tibiotalar joints were assessed in this retrospective study and, success and extravasation rates were compared statistically. Results: Extravasation rate at the injection site was significantly higher in patients with glenohumeral injection compared to tibiotalar injection (p:0.026). There was no contrast material within the joint space along with extravasation in 6 (5.2%) patients in glenohumeral injection group whereas contrast material was seen within the joint space in all patients in tibiotalar injection group (p:0.038). Conclusion: In intra-articular injections, the success rate of articular injection is affected by the distance of capsule to skin and capsule to cartilage. For this reason, higher extravasation rates with lower success rates were encountered in deep located joints and joints with the reduced capsule to cartilage distance.