Indications and future perspectives of a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided double-needle joint lavage

Abstract

Arthroscopic joint lavage was proposed as a treatment option for different joint conditions such as septic or inflammatory arthritis. Ultrasound (US) is today considered a fundamental tool in musculoskeletal diseases as for diagnostic and guide for interventional procedures such as synovial fluid sampling and drug injections. To enable faster recovery and to have an alternative to surgery, to reduce risks and costs, we performed an US-guided double-needle lavage of the shoulder joint. Here, we present two different clinical cases, the first with septic arthritis and the second with recalcitrant gouty arthritis, successfully treated with this technique.