How Ultrasound-Guided Injections Work (and Why They’re Better)

When it comes to managing pain and restoring function, precision is everything. That’s why ultrasound-guided injections are game-changers for many people with pain and impaired mobility from musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

What are Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
Dr. Patrick Siegele, a physiatrist (or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor) with Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, explains that ultrasound-guided injections use real-time imaging to deliver therapeutic substances, like steroids, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) directly to the source of pain or inflammation.

“This visual guidance lets us see the target treatment area which is helpful for conditions like osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, where precise treatment is essential,” he says.

Why are Ultrasound-Guided Injections Better?
“Traditional injections rely on anatomical landmarks, which can be less precise and may lead to missed targets or even complications,” says Dr. Siegele.

Using ultrasound guidance to deliver therapeutic substances can help to:

• Target the exact source of pain or inflammation
• Deliver treatment with precision and efficacy

• Reduce risks and side effects by avoiding nearby structures like blood vessels or nerves

Types of Ultrasound-Guided Injections at Gaylord
At Gaylord’s outpatient physician services in Wallingford, Dr. Siegele uses several kinds of ultrasound-guided injections including:

• Viscosupplementation, an injection of a cartilage-like substance called hyaluronic acid into joints to enhance lubrication, reduce pain, and improve mobility. “This can be especially helpful for people with knee osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Siegele.
  
  
• Steroid Injections, which “can be helpful to temporarily reduce inflammation and pain in joints caused by arthritis or tendinopathy.”

• Platelet-Rich Plasma uses ultrasound guidance to deliver concentrated platelets and growth factors from a patient’s own blood directly to the affected area. “It’s a form of regenerative medicine that works to stimulate tissue repair, provide long-lasting pain relief, and help delay or avoid joint replacement surgery,” he notes.

A Key Part of Rehabilitation
Ultrasound-guided injections can complement other treatments, like physical therapy and non-narcotic medications, to help patients meet their specific goals - from walking without pain to returning to a favorite sport to enjoying everyday activities.

If you’re interested in learning more about ultrasound-guided injections, visit www.gaylord.org/physiatry.