Intra-Articular Methylene Blue Injection eMedicine Procedures

Description: Open joint injuries are skin and soft tissue injuries that penetrate the joint space. Like open fractures, open joint injuries require timely diagnosis, exploration, and irrigation to minimize long-term morbidity and mortality. The procedure of intra-articular injection of methylene blue is an easy and safe way to identify disruption of the joint capsule and may facilitate early intervention.
Intra-articular injection of methylene blue that demonstrates extravasation of dye from the wound site is highly suggestive for open joint injury. In the absence of dye extravasation, open joint injury may still be present; therefore, an orthopedic consultation is recommended for all patients with a suspected open joint injury.
Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD Updated: Apr 12, 2009