What Happens During An Ultrasound-Guided Injection?
Joint pain can be unrelenting.
It transforms your entire life. Everyday activities that you may have taken for granted have now become the source of discomfort and even agony. You can no longer participate in your favorite sports. Instead, you have to take a seat on the bench instead of running on the field.
Don’t worry: There is hope. Through carefully placed ultrasound guided medication injections, we can provide the relief that you need to help you get back to your normal routine.
But you may wonder, what is an ultrasound-guided injection? What are its benefits and how can it help me?
As leading orthopaedic physicians in Raleigh, we’re glad to answer some of your most commonly asked questions about this procedure.
What Is an Ultrasound-Guided Injection?
An ultrasound-guided medication injection utilizes ultrasound technology to give our physicians an accurate view of the precise area that is causing pain. We then use this ultrasound image to guide the injection needle into the problem area.
Typically, this type of injection takes less time and is less painful than traditional injections.
What Happens During an Ultrasound-Guided Injection?
First, we place a sterile gel onto your skin where the pain is located. We place the ultrasound probe near the source of the inflammation. The ultrasound signals are translated into an image projected onto a screen.
From there we insert the needle to precisely the area needed, using the ultrasound images as a map. Once in place, we inject the medication.
What Are the Benefits of an Ultrasound-Guided Injection?
There are several benefits of ultrasound-guided medication injections. These include:
Accuracy
Because our physicians carefully monitor the ultrasound, we can see exactly where we need to administer the medication. This is not only safer and more accurate, but it also means the medication has the best chance of pinpointing the problem area. As a result, it is the best chance to relieve the pain.
Efficiency
Another one of the benefits of an ultrasound guided medication injection is that it takes minimal time. The procedure will be completed much sooner than a standard injection.
Ease of Access
Joints are complex structures. They have to be flexible enough to allow the body to perform all kinds of tasks of everyday living. In some cases, the area that needs the injection may only be millimeters in size. This means that an ultrasound-guided medication injection enables us to access the area easily due to ultrasound imaging.
Minimal Risk
This is a very safe procedure that carries minimal risks. Ultrasound technology has been around for more than two decades, and it has demonstrated a safe track record.
Because we can accurately follow where the needle is located, we reduce the risk of complications.
No Radiation is Involved
An ultrasound utilizes sound waves. These waves bounce off structures and are translated into an image that is projected onto a monitor. This enables our orthopaedic doctors in Raleigh to precisely monitor the needle’s location.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From an Ultrasound-Guided
It’s important to rest the joint where the injection was administered. You should take it easy for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Remember that the medication doesn’t work instantly; it may take a while before you feel the full effect.
Am I a Candidate?
If you have severe joint pain that hasn’t been helped by more conservative treatment, then you could receive benefits from an ultrasound guided injection.
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Injections at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic of Raleigh
At the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we concentrate on getting you back to the life you enjoy. We also emphasize conservative treatment; we don’t consider surgery until other options have been tried. For nearly 50 years, our fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic surgeons in Raleigh have provided the best in personalized care.
We also offer care that is both state-of-the-art and affordable. For example, if you need to have a joint replacement, ask us about our “bundle payment” program.
See why we’re the leading provider of orthopedic services in Raleigh. Schedule an appointment today.