Understanding Traumatic Arthrotomy: Risks and Diagnosis

REBEL Core Cast 131.0 – Traumatic Arthrotomy

Definition: a deep laceration that extends into the joint capsule, exposing the intra-articular surface to the environment

• A laceration into the joint exposes the normally sterile intra-articular contents to external contamination
• Inoculation of the joint often results in septic arthritis

Physical Exam:

• Laceration over joint (can be variable in size)
• Local wound exploration may be sufficient in identifying the open joint
• Exam findings suspicious for joint capsule involvement:
  • • Air bubbles
    • Extravasation of joint fluid – straw colored, viscous, sometimes oily in appearance

Diagnostic testing:

• Imaging:
  • X-ray
    • Limited ability to see air in joints but a reasonable first test
  • CT scan
    • Intra-articular air visualized on CT (Konda 2013)
      • May be up to 100% sensitive for joint violation
      • Study limited by small numbers, inclusion bias + inadequate gold standard
    • May be considered the standard evaluation modality in many settings.

• Saline load test
  • Has mainly been supplanted by CT scan due to ease in obtaining, reported performance characteristics, consultant recommendation and difficulty in interpreting test.
  • Useful if physical examination equivocal or plain radiographs non-diagnostic
  • Technique (Video)
    • Perform arthrocentesis of the joint with a large bore needle (18-20 gauge)
    • Sterile saline is injected into the joint while passive movement is applied to the joint
    • The laceration site is watched for saline extravasation indicating communication between the joint and external environment

• • Sensitivity ranges from 34%-99% depending on the study, joint, and the amount of saline used to load the joint (Browning 2016)
  • Methylene blue
    • Aids in distinguishing a true positive from additional bleeding from the wound
    • Recent studies suggest that the addition of methylene blue does not increase sensitivity if a sufficient amount of saline is used (Metzger 2012)
  • Volume of fluid injected
    • Varies depending on the joint in which you are injecting
    • Higher volumes increase sensitivity but also increase pain for the patient
    • Knee Joint (Keese 2007)
      • 50 ml: Sensitivity of about 46%
      • 194 ml: sensitivity of 95%
    • Elbow Joint (Feathers 2011)
      • 20 ml: Sensitivity of 86%
      • 40 ml: Sensitivity of 95%
    • Ankle Joint (Bariteau 2013)
      • 7 ml: Sensitivity of 50%
      • 30 ml: Sensitivity of 95%

ED Management:

• Reduce open fractures if present
• Irrigate grossly contaminated wounds in the ED
• Immobilize the joint to prevent further injury
• Obtain early orthopedic evaluation for joint exploration, and washout to be performed within 6-24 hours
• Tetanus prophylaxis
• Prophylactic antibiotics (best if given within 6 hours)
  • Staph/strep coverage: 1^st generation cephalosporin (i.e. cefazolin or cefuroxime)
  • If risk factors for MRSA present, use agent with activity against MRSA (i.e. vancomycin)
  • If significant soft tissue injury, add gram negative coverage like late generation cephalosporin, extended-spectrum penicillin, or aminoglycoside (i.e. gentamycin)
  • If concern for fecal or clostridial infection, add high dose penicillin (i.e. zosyn)
  • If seawater contamination and concern for vibrio vulnificus, add doxycycline

Post Peer Reviewed By: Salim R. Rezaie, MD (Twitter/X: @srrezaie)