A Brief Summary: What Is An Ultrasound Guided Injection And What Are The Benefits?

An Ultrasound Guided Injection is used to administer medication to relieve pain. This is a relatively new technology in the sports medicine and orthopedic field, but has gained a lot of interest for a number of reasons. Ultrasound guidance allows the doctor to see inside the joint, including the nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage. The needle can also be seen on the ultrasound screen as it goes into the skin. Because the doctor can see exactly where he is placing the injection, the procedure is quick, and often less painful than a blind injection. There is also a lesser likelihood of complications, like nerve damage, from accidental injection into a nerve. The accuracy of the injection is related to longer-lasting pain relief, and that reduction of pain can subsequently help physical therapy to be more effective. Additionally, there may be a cost benefit of ultrasound-guided injections—their accuracy and increased success rate often means that fewer injections are needed to achieve pain relief.

Ultrasound guidance may be used to provide pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. In addition to helping the doctor accurately place the injection, ultrasound guidance can also be used to help the doctor remove fluid from a swollen joint.

Why Do I Need One?

Ultrasound Guided Injections are used to treat a variety of different symptoms and conditions:

• Pain from arthritis

• Pain from tendonitis

• Accurate targeting of a “problem area”

• Fluid removal or prevention

• Pain management prior to surgery

 

What Areas Can Be Injected?

 

• Jaw

• Neck muscles

• Shoulders

• Wrists

• Hands

• Hips

• Knee

• Ankle

• Feet

 

Where Can I Get One?

 

Ryan Fowler, MD, Primary Care Sports Medicine Specialist, at Coryell Medical Clinic has significant training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury, specializing in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. He is specialty trained in the technique of using live ultrasound reading to place an injection of corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma supplements, or viscosupplementation.

Dr. Fowler will evaluate your condition and work with you to determine which injection treatment is best for you. It is important to note that injections do not work for everyone, but if your condition is mild to moderate, injections may be able to help you postpone or even avoid surgery. Following your procedure, Dr. Fowler will give you specific instructions to help ensure a successful recovery. To make an appointment call Coryell Medical Clinic at 254-865-2166. Visit the website to find out about other services at Coryell Memorial Healthcare System including physical therapy, orthopedics, advanced wound care and more.