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Abstract

Background:

Injection to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of in vivo AC joint injections.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Thirty patients with pain localized to the AC joint were injected with 1 mL of 1% lidocaine and 0.5 mL of radiographic contrast material (Isovue). Radiographs of the AC joint were taken after the injection. Each radiograph was reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist and graded as intra-articular, extra-articular, or partially intra-articular.

Results:

Of the 30 injections performed, 13 (43.3%) were intra-articular, 7 (23.3%) were partially articular, and 10 (33.3%) were extra-articular. When the intra-articular and the partially articular groups were combined, 20 patients (66.7%) had some contrast dye in the AC joint.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that despite the relatively superficial location of the AC joint, the clinical accuracy of AC joint injections remains relatively low.

Keywords

accuracy acromioclavicular joint injection needle placement

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