Research also shows the following benefits from ultrasound-guided injections:-

• Reduced incidents of injury
• Reduced overall side effects
• Better patient comfort
• Better patient satisfaction
• Significantly more accurate injection with all injection procedures
• Improved outcomes.

Nowadays more patients are wanting to have their injections performed under ultrasound guidance because of the above reasons.  They improve accuracy, they improve outcomes and they reduce the risks of side effects and injury during the injection procedure.

At Bothwell Medical Rooms and Core Clinic, we always perform an initial check ultrasound scan of the region before giving the injection. 

This helps us to ensure that there are no reasons why we would not want to inject and that the diagnosis is accurate.  Confirming that there are no significant structures, such as nerves or vessels, that would become injured whilst performing the injection. We are able to identify a safe and comfortable path for us to deliver the injection.

What is a benefit of an ultrasound-guided injection – Accuracy

We are able to achieve excellent needle visualisation with ultrasound. Tracking the needle from the moment it enters the skin to the target tissue. We are also able to ensure the steroid is delivered accurately at the point at which we wish to deliver it. 

Also, increasingly now, we are using other forms of injection, such as hyaluronic acid.  This needs to be delivered into joints or tendon sheaths with the utmost accuracy. Otherwise, it is unlikely to give any benefit. We would always strongly recommend that any hyaluronic acid injection be given under ultrasound guidance.

Also, we are increasingly using techniques, such as –

hydrodistension – where the joint capsule is stretched with a high volume of injection

barbotage – where calcification is aspirated or withdrawn from a tendon prior to injection.

High-volume injections to reduce neovascularization (small vessels which have grown between fat pads and tendons when in painful tendinopathy)

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – a small amount of blood is drawn from a patient’s vein. Then refined blood with 3-5 times the normal concentration of platelets is injected into the patient’s joint or tendon. This is a safe and long-lasting treatment for a number of degenerative conditions

All of these procedures can only realistically be performed under ultrasound guidance.  We would never recommend that these injections would be performed under surface-marked assessment.

All of our expert clinicians, who perform ultrasound-guided injections, are dual-qualified. This ensures that they are able to accurately diagnose and rule out any potential issues from performing the injection. They are also independent prescribers.  This means that they are able to fully screen patients for potential medicine prior to treatment.