Ultrasound-Guided Intra-Articular Injection of the Trapeziometacarpal Joint: Description of Technique

Preinjection ultrasound of the TMC joint in a cadaver specimen.

Ultrasound transducer over TMC joint in a cadaver specimen. Needle is positioned on the volar side of the transducer at the midpoint of the transducer’s long axis. Path of entry is 30° to 45° relative to the transducer.

Postinjection image showing ultrasound-guided injection of the TMC joint in a cadaver specimen. A hypoechoic cleft is visualized between the trapezium (left) and first metacarpal (right) defining the joint space. The needle tip is visualized in the center of the joint space.

Left posteroanterior view of the wrist in a cadaver specimen. Fluoroscopic imaging of the first carpometacarpal joint confirming contrast material in joint space and expansion of the surrounding joint capsule.