Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialDoes ultrasound guidance improve the outcomes of arthrocentesis and corticosteroid injection of the knee?
The present randomized controlled trial compared arthrocentesis of the effusive knee followed by corticosteroid injection performed by the conventional anatomic landmark palpation-guided technique to the same procedure performed with ultrasound (US) needle guidance. ⋯ US-guided arthrocentesis and injection of the knee are superior to anatomic landmark palpation-guided arthrocentesis, resulting in significantly less procedural pain, improved arthrocentesis success, greater synovial fluid yield, more complete joint decompression, and improved clinical outcomes.