What is UltraSound Therapy?

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to provide a dynamic “real-time” 4D image of body tissues. This is the same technology used for foetal scanning in pregnancy. Ultrasound allows diagnostic assessment of the status of the tissue as well as therapeutic treating including directed injection therapy. It allows greater accuracy and you can also record the image to confirm the diagnosis and needle placement.

Is this treatment common?

Ultrasound is becoming increasingly more common. The newer devices are becoming smaller, with higher resolution and are becoming truly portable, making ease of access to this imaging technique far greater. These can therefore now be provided in clinic as well as in a diagnostic radiology department.

Injection therapy can be used for a great range of pathologies, including soft tissue injuries like tendinitis or joint dysfunctions like arthritis or mechanical overuse resulting in inflammation.

What are the benefits of using Ultrasound whilst injecting?

As you could imagine real-time imaging of the injection itself allows for greater accuracy of needle placement, and confirmation that the target tissue has been reached. In addition to this re-scanning the treated area can show an improvement in the tissue in response to the injection.

What can you inject when using Ultrasound Guided Therapy?

Guided injection therapy most commonly consists of cortisone/corticosteroid/steroid as an anti inflammatory agent, into joints or around selected soft tissues.

Other agents such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) have been used for many years but are gaining greater popularity with time. These agents have been shown to have great regenerative properties for any tissue through the release of growth factors.

Are ultrasound guided injections painful?

Ultrasound guided injections are no more painful than a non-guided injection. A small amount of local anaesthetic can be placed on the skin to improve comfort, and often can be added with the injectable solution to provide pain relief and aid diagnosis.

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