Ultrasound Guided Injections Care

What You Need To Know

A closer look at how ultrasound guidance improves injection accuracy and patient outcomes.

Ultrasound Guided Injections Explained

Diagnostic ultrasound is used today to provide doctors with the ability to see where an injection is going and to ensure the medication is delivered directly to the exact spot of necessity.

We all realize that receiving an injection is sometimes necessary to treat specific injuries or conditions. Having the medication delivered directly to the exact location ensures the best result, and being able to see where the injection is going allows the doctor to precisely deliver the medication exactly where it must go. This approach avoids damaging surrounding tissue or placing medication where it will be less effective.

Diagnostic ultrasound was first reported in 1958 as a reliable method to evaluate musculoskeletal structures, and its use has become increasingly popular ever since. Today, physicians use ultrasound technology to clearly visualize soft-tissue structures for pending treatment. The tissue most commonly viewed includes tendons, ligaments, and muscle, though arteries and nerves may also be viewed.

The doctors at Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists have diagnostic ultrasound available and frequently use it when delivering injection treatment, helping to ensure the safest, most effective, and comfortable care possible. If you have been recommended for an injection, we welcome you to schedule an evaluation to discuss whether ultrasound guidance is right for your treatment plan.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, has received a lot of press lately, especially for helping professional athletes recover from injuries without undergoing surgery and get back into the game. But PRP is not just for professionals. All types of people can benefit as well.

Platelets are a blood component often associated with clotting. However, they also play an important role in recovery, secreting proteins that stimulate cell growth. PRP is exactly what the name implies: plasma with more than the usual concentration of platelets. It can have five to ten times as many platelets as normal plasma, so that is potentially a lot of healing power.

To create PRP, clinicians first draw a little blood, then use a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components. The concentrated PRP is then applied to the specific area that needs healing, often injected into the injury itself to reduce inflammation and promote recovery. Though effective, PRP is not instantaneous and often takes several weeks for patients to feel the benefits. PRP can also be used during surgery to treat the injured area.

PRP can be valuable for many types of injuries, including injured muscles and ligaments, chronic tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, and arthritis in the knees, where it may reduce pain and increase function. While PRP is not a magic bullet, it is rapidly becoming a useful tool to help patients overcome musculoskeletal injuries without surgery. To learn if PRP is appropriate for your condition, schedule a consultation with our team.