ONE-POINT PROXIMAL INJECTION TECHNIQUES FOR DE QUERVAIN'S DISEASE: A CADAVERIC STUDY

PURPOSE:To investigate the success rate of dye injection into the first extensor compartment of the wrist with the one-point proximal injection technique. METHODS:Thirty-seven wrists from 19 cadavers were included in the study. The skin overlying the first extensor compartment was removed. The methylene blue was injected directly in the first extensor compartment at the point 3 cm proximal to the palpated radial styloid. The first extensor compartment was explored to identify the dispersion of dye. The success result was determined as diffusion of dye into both subcompartment of APL and EPB. The anatomical variation of the first extensor compartment and the related structure were also investigated. RESULTS: A separated compartment was found in 20 of 37 dissected cadaveric wrists. Complete and incomplete septum was presented in 7 wrists and 13 wrists, respectively. The success rate of proximal injection technique in the septum group was 90%. CONCLUSIONS:Higher success rate was observed when compare to the more distal single injection technique reported in the previous study. The proximal injection technique may use as an alternative method for steroid injection in the patient with de Quervain’s disease.