High accuracy of intra-articular needle position during anterior landmark guided glenohumeral injections

Abstract

Objectives: Image-guided ultrasound or fluoroscopic glenohumeral injections have high accuracy rates but require training, equipment, cost, and radiation exposure (fluoroscopy). In contrast, landmark-guided glenohumeral injections do not require additional subspecialist referrals or equipment. An optimal technique would be safe and accurate and have few barriers to implementation. The purpose of this study was to define the accuracy of glenohumeral needle placement via an anterior landmark-guided approach as assessed by direct arthroscopic visualization.

Methods: A consecutive series of adult patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy in the beach chair position were included in this study. Demographic and procedural data were collected. The time required to perform the injection, the precise location of the needle tip, and factors that affected the accuracy of the injection were also assessed.

Results: A standardized anterior landmark-guided glenohumeral joint injection was performed in the operating room prior to surgery, and the location of the needle tip was documented by arthroscopic visualization with a low complication profile and few barriers to implementation. A total of 81 patients were enrolled. Successful intra-articular glenohumeral needle placement by sports medicine and shoulder/elbow fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons was confirmed in 93.8% (76/81) of patients. The average time to complete the procedure was 24.8 ​s. There were no patient-related variables associated with nonintra-articular injections in the cohort.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the technique of anterior landmark-guided glenohumeral injection has an accuracy of 93.8% and requires less than 30 ​s to perform. This method is safe, yields similar accuracy to image-guided procedures, has improved cost and time efficiency, and requires less radiation exposure. No patient-related factors were associated with inaccurate needle placement. Anterior landmark-guided glenohumeral injections may be utilized with confidence by providers in the clinical setting.

Level of evidence: Level 5. IRB: Approved under Stanford IRB-56323.

Keywords: Arthroscopy; Glenohumeral joint; Injection; Shoulder; Sports medicine.