Accuracy of needle placement into the intra-articular space of the knee.

Abstract

To The Editor: The article entitled “Accuracy of Needle Placement into the Intra-Articular Space of the Knee” (2002:84:1522-7), by Jackson et al., describes an interesting, well-thought-out, and well-executed study. It demonstrates the difficulty of accurately placing a needle into the intra-articular space when an effusion is not present. However, during my fellowship with Richard B. Caspari, MD, injection techniques were taught and the highest accuracy of anteromedial or anterolateral needle placement was not accomplished with the knee hanging freely at approximately 90° but rather with the knee flexed only about 30° and supported on a foam rest. … Corresponding author:, Douglas W. Jackson, MD, Orthopaedic Research Institute at the, Southern California Center, for Sports Medicine, 2760 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806, simori{at}aol.com