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Lateral approach - aspiration or injection of the knee joint

Authoring team

Lateral approach to injection of the knee joint

Based on contributions from Dr Elspeth Wise and Dr Alan Walker on behalf of the Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society

  • the patient should be resting on a couch with their knee extended. Identify the superior and the inferior pole of the patella

  • the space between the patella and the femoro-tibial articulation should be palpated

  • the needle is inserted in line with the junction of the upper and middle thirds of the patella

  • tt may be helpful to apply pressure to the medial aspect of the patella whilst injecting so as to tilt the patella medially and open up the lateral space

  • the needle is directed medially and slightly posteriorly so that it is parallel with the posterior surface of the patella

Lateral injection of the knee joint - surface anatomy:

 

Sketch of a simplified landscape with a sailboat illustration navigating over a wavy line simulating hills or waves.

 

 

Lateral injection of the knee joint - vastus lateralis (VL) in place:

 

Detailed medical illustration showing an injection into layered muscle tissue with labeled muscles including VL, ITT, BF, TA, EDL, and PL.

 

 

Lateral injection of the knee - vastus lateralis (VL) removed for explanatory purposes to show injection point

 

Detailed anatomical drawing of a human leg showing muscle layers, fasciae, and an injection needle with labels for various components like RF, VI, SP, FC, PB, ITT, BF, TA, EDL, PL, and Ga.

 

Key to acronyms:

 

Anatomical diagram listing various knee and leg components with abbreviations, including Biceps Femoris, Patellar Tendon, Tibialis Anterior, and other related structures.

Reference:

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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