Ultrasound-Guided Injections Specialist Q&A

Ultrasound-guided injections offer potential uses in both diagnosing and therapeutically treating a range of joint and related issues. Common concerns include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle tears, and much more.
 
These injections become particularly useful in managing inflammatory and degenerative conditions, especially when conventional methods fall short of providing sufficient relief. The incorporation of ultrasound enhances the precision of injection treatments.
 
Ultrasound machines equip healthcare providers to visualize structures such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints as they perform injections, facilitating accurate and targeted injection delivery. This capability enables providers to safely administer injections to structures that are challenging to examine and locate otherwise. Moreover, it aids in avoiding critical structures that may lie in the trajectory of the injection needle.

During an ultrasound-guided injection, injuries to joints, tendons, and muscles or conditions caused by wear and tear may be addressed by injecting medication into the affected area. Additionally, for diagnosing specific diseases, injecting medication proves helpful in pinpointing the precise issue.
 
At the Nasseri Clinic of Arthritic and Rheumatic Diseases, your provider might recommend ultrasound-guided injections for various diagnostic and treatment reasons. Ultrasound-guided injections follow the same administration procedure as traditional injections, with the only distinction being the incorporation of an ultrasound probe. This probe allows visualization of the needle entering the precise location before administering the medication.
 
The process involves applying sterile gel to your skin at the site of pain. Placing the ultrasound probe near the source of inflammation, the ultrasound signals are translated into an image projected onto a screen. Using this visual guide, your provider carefully inserts the needle into the required area and administers the medication. Utilizing imaging techniques such as X-ray or ultrasound enhances the likelihood of successful medication placement.
 
This is crucial for ensuring the treatment’s effectiveness. Diagnostic injections enable accurate interpretation of the injection results, contributing to a more informed assessment of the patient’s condition and helping facilitate an early diagnosis and swift treatment interventions.

There is typically minimal preparation required before undergoing an ultrasound-guided injection. Following the procedures recommendation by the specialists at the Nasseri Clinic of Arthritic and Rheumatic Disease, patients will be informed of any necessary preparations.
 
If anesthesia is required, it is important to come prepared with someone to drive you home. Otherwise, there is no particular preparation required for an ultrasound-guided injection. Prior to the procedure, you will receive an explanation, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
 
Following the injection, you may not experience immediate pain, thanks to the anesthetic. Once the anesthetic wears off, you might feel some discomfort, and the injection site may be slightly sore or tender.

The procedure itself is fairly brief and should last no more than an hour. You may experience a sensation of pressure during needle insertion. If you encounter significant discomfort, it’s important to communicate this to your doctor. Subsequently, the medication is released into the injection site. Cortisone shots typically combine a corticosteroid medication, designed to alleviate pain and inflammation gradually, with an anesthetic for immediate pain relief.
 
The anesthetic injected will typically become effective about an hour after administration. Corticosteroids, on the other hand, may take 2-3 days to initiate their effects, with the full impact becoming evident within two weeks of the injection.
 
The duration of recovery is contingent upon the severity of your concern. Your provider will engage in a discussion with you to outline the anticipated recovery time frame and any additional treatment interventions to address your condition.
 
Patients can typically find relief from their condition for months at a time depending on the type of ultrasound-guided injections they received.
 
Ultrasound-guided injections are available at the Nasseri Clinic of Arthritic and Rheumatic Diseases. At our clinic, patients benefit from ultrasound-guided injections that reduce pain and improve function. We have convenient locations to serve patients in Maryland. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Catonsville MD, Glen Burnie MD, Columbia MD, Baltimore MD, North Baltimore MD, Rosedale MD, Edgewater MD, Hebbville MD, Woodlawn MD, Pasadena MD, Jacobsville MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Dundalk MD, Halethorpe MD, Overlea MD, Parkville MD, Riva MD, Annapolis MD, Ferndale MD, and surrounding areas.