Recent Study did injection by anterior, lateral and posterior portals and checked subacromial penetration arthroscopically. “RESULTS: The mean distance with anterior needle placement was 2.9 +/- 0.6 cm. The mean distance with lateral needle placement was 2.9 +/- 0.7 cm. The mean distance with posterior needle placement was 5.2 +/- 1.1 cm.”
Arthroscopy. 2008 Sep;24(9):992-6.
Distances to the subacromial bursa from 3 different injection sites as measured arthroscopically. Sardelli M, Burks RT abstract
There appeared to be no correlation between BMI (obesity) and bursal distances – something I find difficult to see as some of the obese subjects are big boned too.
Comment – I have used a 25 guage 2″ needle and am glad I did so. I would need to go in 1.61 inches minimum (that’s more than the 25 guage-1 1/2 inches!) and on average 5.2 inches – maybe should be using a spinal needle…
any comments?