What is it and what is it used for?
Ultrasound-guided injections are a safe, non-invasive approach to treating pain and inflammation. The procedure is often recommended when other conservative treatments such as oral medication and physical therapy have been ineffective. Ultrasound-guided injections can be used to treat a range of issues including arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, joint and muscle pain, and more. Ultrasound is used to guide a variety of injection types such as corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Ultrasound technology captures live images of internal body structures through the application of high-frequency sound waves. These images allow us to look at different muscles, tendons, and joints in the body. Instead of relying on touch and experience to determine optimal injection placement, ultrasound creates a live video image of the body’s tissues allowing guidance of the needle and administration of the medicine into a precise location.
How are they performed?
Ultrasound-guided injections can be performed in the office during a normal office visit without the need for anesthesia. An ultrasound probe is placed over the affected area in combination with ultrasound gel to ensure the image is clear. The image is transmitted onto a monitor to pinpoint the precise location where the injection is to be performed. Care is taken to numb the skin area where the injection is to be performed. Once this is achieved a needle is placed into the skin near the ultrasound probe that allows the needle to be visualized on the monitor. The needle is advanced to the precise location where the injection is to be performed. Once in its exact location seen on the ultrasound monitor, the medication is administered giving visual confirmation as the fluid is placed exactly where it should be resulting in a more effective outcome.
Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
- Improved accuracy: Whether it be a joint or tendon, these complex anatomical structures consist of areas just a few millimeters in size that need to be treated. Ultrasound-guided injections allow placement of medication into the most precise location for long-lasting symptomatic relief.
- Improved safety: Ultrasound imaging allows accurate guidance of the needle into precise locations. This allows us to avoid important structures such as blood vessels and nerves that may be in the path of the injection needle, preventing potential complications during the procedure.
OSS has highly skilled Physician Assistants with advanced training to administer each injection. To schedule today, please call 206-633-8100 or make an appointment online today https://orthopedicspecialistsofseattle.com/request-an-appointment/