Ultrasound-guided injections are used for treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions using medicines such as cortisone, PRP and hyaluronic acid. It is considered a minimally invasive procedure as the equipment used to treat these painful conditions deliver the medicine precisely where it is intended.
Using an ultrasound scanner enables us to see joints, tendons, soft tissue structures and visualise fluids in real-time. Combining it with the injection enables us to deliver the medication with much higher precision.
Corticosteroid injections are most often used to treat joint inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis but can equally be used to treat inflammation and pain triggered by sports injuries.
What areas of the body can be treated with ultrasound-guided injection?
The most common areas of treatment are in the hip joint, shoulder and knees but can be used to treat other structures throughout the body.
Hip
Corticosteroid injection is recommended as a first-line treatment of arthritis in the hip and can quickly relieve inflammation in the joints. The effects may last from several weeks to several months.
Hip conditions treated by ultrasound-guided injection
- Degenerative or inflammatory arthritis
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Hamstring/Gluteal tendinopathy
- Labral tear
- Injury, trauma, misuse of hip joint
Shoulder
Ultrasound can provide an accurate injection of multiple structures in the shoulder, including the Acromioclavicular (AC) joint and the Glenohumeral joint.
Shoulder conditions treated by ultrasound-guided injection
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff impingement or tear
- Frozen shoulder
- Acromioclavicular joint
- Degenerative or inflammatory arthritis
- Biceps tendinopathy
- Calcific tendonitis
Knee
Ultrasound can help us visualise a variety of structures within the knee, including the quadriceps and patellar tendons, the extra-articular ligaments, and some meniscus injuries.
Knee conditions treated by ultrasound-guided injection
- Bursitis
- Degenerative or inflammatory arthritis
- Chronic ligament sprain
- Baker’s cyst aspiration
- Ligament tears
- Patellar tendonitis
- IT band syndrome
Although these are the most common injuries and complaints we see, ultrasound-guided injections can also treat other conditions such as –
- Foot and ankle conditions such as Morton’s Neuroma and Plantar Fasciitis.
- Elbow conditions such as Tennis or golfers elbow and Cubital tunnel syndrome.
- Hand and wrists conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger finger and Tendon tenosynovitis.
If you are suffering from pain and do not see your diagnosis on this list please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our highly trained team of specialists can help.
If your injury or pain does not require an injected treatment then our Sports Medicine Consultant (sports doctor) can also refer you to another specialist within Freedom clinics.
Our team includes –
- Osteopaths
- Acupuncturists
- Physiotherapists
- General Practitioners
- Sports Massage Therapists
- ISRM Soft Tissue Therapists
- Podiatrists
- Chiropodists
- Sports Physicians
Not quite ready to book? Check out our guide to injection therapy to find out how ultrasound-guided injections work and what to expect from your appointment with us.
