musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
How To Do Wrist Arthrocentesis
Relevant Anatomy for Wrist Arthrocentesis
Needle insertion is just distal to the Lister tubercle (dorsal radial tubercle) and ulnar to the extensor pollicis longus tendon. Neurovascular injury may occur if needle entry is on the radial side of the extensor pollicis longus tendon (ie, in the anatomic snuffbox). Synovial fluid is withdrawn from the radiocarpal joint. To help identify the extensor pollicis longus tendon, the patient should actively extend the wrist and thumb. To puncture the joint, the wrist is flexed and ulnar-deviated about 20 to 30°. Traction is applied to the hand. Needle entry occurs just distal to the Lister tubercle, ulnar to the extensor pollicis longus tendon. 