Ultrasound Guided Injections

MSK Ultrasound has become extremely popular for not just diagnostic imaging, but now is being routinely used for needle guidance. Various nerve blocks, intra-articular injections, trigger point and muscular injections are now being done under ultrasound guidance.

Recent Studies Show Ultrasound Guidance is More Accurate

"They found that approximately one third of knee and ankle injections were extra-articular, only half of the wrist injections were definitely intra-articular, with even less accuracy reported for shoulder injections. Remarkably, even the ability to aspirate synovial fluid was not a perfect predictor of intra-articular placement of steroid injections with almost half of extra-articular injections having been associated with successful aspiration of synovial fluid. Experience beyond advanced trainee/registrar level did not appear to influence the accuracy of injection placement."

Ann Rheum Dis 2004, 63:1007-1008
doi:10.1136/ard.2004.020685

Concise summaries of recent journal articles chosen for clinical significance

Ultrasonographic guidance boosts joint injection accuracy

Corticosteroid injection in the joints of patients with inflammatory arthritis results in significant alleviation of symptoms and improvement in functional status. Ultrasound-guided injections are significantly more accurate than clinical examination (CE)-guided injections.

Ultrasound-guided injections were accurate in 83% of patients, compared with 66% of patients who had CE-guided injections. There was a trend toward increased accuracy with US-guided injections for all joints, particularly the shoulder, elbow, and ankle. The greater accuracy of US-guided injections held true regardless of the physician’s level of experience.

The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. Vol. 27 No. 9

Arthritis Rheum 2010, 62:1862-1869

Intra-articular injections performed with ultrasound image guidance are significantly superior to palpation-guided methods in all outcome measures.

They significantly reduce procedural pain, reduce pain scores at outcome, increase responder rates, and reduce non-responder rates.

The authors suggested that their findings strongly support the use of sonography for intra-articular injections in outpatient musculoskeletal practices and that research is needed to address the effects of such procedures on long-term outcomes.

The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. Vol. 26 No. 11
J Rheumatol 2009, 36:1892-1902

Introducing iNeedle!

Mindray's new iNeedle is a revolutionary new way to enhance needle visualization beyond basic beam steering. Now you can see the needle at very steep angles, up to 50 degrees. Now available on the Mindray MSK M7!

Welcome

Diagnostic Instruments, Inc. is focused solely on Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK Ultrasound). Our team has over 48 years of combined experience in MSK Ultrasound. So... whether you are just getting started or already have an ultrasound system, our team has the knowledge to make your portable ultrasound purchase "Turn-Key". Put our experience to work for you! We have an A+ BBB Rating, so you can also feel confident putting your trust in us.

Diagnostic Instruments, Inc. is proud to be Mindray’s Exclusive MSK Ultrasound and Guided Injection Authorized Distributor in the USA!

MSK Ultrasound  and Ultrasound Guided Injections can truly be a practice builder. Patients love to see the dynamic ultrasound images and you will appreciate the additional revenue stream and diagnostic information it provides. Ultrasound Guided Injections may improve your outcomes and the patients can see on the screen the needle being directed to the exact location. See the Indications and Reimbursement pages for more information. We would be happy to set up a time when we can go over all the benefits MSK Ultrasound can add. Call us at (800-516-2663) or email us today.

Clinical Benefits of MSK Ultrasound

• Same day diagnosis
• Moves patients to treatment phase faster
• Increases interactive nature of the examination
• The dynamic, real-time nature of sonography requires personal interaction with the patient, often resulting in a more directed examination, specific for each individual.
• Better Visualization
• See the needle and the injectate in precise location
• Visualize blood vessels and nerves before advancing needle
• Many Applications
• Tendons, Ligaments, Bone Surface, Nerves, Bursa, Synovium, Cartilage, Foreign Bodies, ect.
• Interventional Procedures
• Ultrasound can be used to guide needles for biopsy, aspiration, injections and dry needling

Proven clinical benefits for MSK Ultrasound

• High treatment compliance rate
• No wait for imaging results
• Patients in pain get treated faster
• Enhanced patient perception
• Affordable technology exists

Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

MSK Ultrasound shows full spectrum of shoulder injuries

By Shalmali Pal

AuntMinnie.com staff writer
September 29, 2006