What is an Ultrasound Guided Joint Injection?

A common cause of a painful joint is synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint). An injection of corticosteroid and/or local anaesthetic medicine directly into the joint can sometimes be helpful in reducing the inflammation and providing pain relief. Reduction in pain may make physical therapy more effective.

Ultrasound is able to identify fluid better than conventional radiographs and can see fluid that may have accumulated in and around joint, tendons, muscles, nerves and other soft-tissue structure.

Where are the joint injections given?

Ultrasound is beneficial when performing injections in the ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder spine and wrist joints.

• The procedure will be explained to you by the radiologist. You will be able to ask questions you give your consent for the procedure to be performed.

How do you get ready for the test?

● Prior to your appointment please tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications or if you are on blood thinner. eg. Your dose might need to be hold or your INR checked before injecting large weight bearing joints (i.e.knee or ankle.)

● Please plan on arriving 30 minutes prior to your appointment. No relatives/attendee are allowed in the procedure room.

● You do not need to do anything special before a joint injection. You may eat and drink as normal.

● It may be best to wear comfortable clothing.

Ultrasound Guided Joint Injection?

The joint injection is most often carried out using ultrasound to guide the injection. You will be asked to lie down on the examination table, or sit comfortably next to it, depending on which joint is to be injected.

Generally a preliminary scan will be done to locate the exact ultrasound to guide the injection. which may be marked on your skin. The skin will then be cleaned with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.

A needle will be placed into the joint either at the point marked on your skin or using the ultrasound to see the tip of the needle as it moves into the joint.

Referral and Consent

The doctor who referred you for this procedure should have discussed why this treatment has been advised for you. You should make sure that you understand this before attending for the procedure. It will be carried out by radiologists who are doctors who have trained and specialised in imaging and X-ray treatments.

Who should not have the injection?

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, if you are on a blood thinning medication, if you have an active infection going on, or if you have poorly controlled diabetes or heart disease, you should not have a joint injection or at least consider postponing it if postponing would improve your overall medical condition.

What are the Risk & Side Effect? In recommending a Joint Injection, the doctor believes the benefits to you from having this procedure exceed the risks involved.

The risks and complications with this procedure can include but are not limited to the following.

Common risks and complications include

• Bleeding or bruising may occur. This is more common if you take Aspirin. Warfarin Clopidogrel

Failure of local anaesthetic which may require a further injection of anaesthesia. • Nerve damage, is usually temporary, and should get better over a period a period of time. Permanent nerve damage is rare.

ess common risks and complications include

• Infection, requiring antibiotics and further treatment.

• Damage to surrounding structures such as blood vessels. organs and muscles, requiring.

• Inflammation of the joint, resulting i increase of fluid in and around the joint. in an

An allergy to injected drugs, requiring further treatment. . The procedure may not be possible due to medical and/or technical reasons.

Rare risks and complications include

• Seizures and/or cardiac arrest due to local anaesthetic toxicity.

• Death as a result of this procedure is very rare

What happen after your examination

We suggest that you do not drive yourself for at least 4 hours after the examination. You may return to normal activity 4-6 hours after the procedure.

You symptoms may feel worse for 24-28 hours following the joint injection

Some patients may get facial flushing for a short time.

Female patients who have periods may noti that their menstrual cycle us slightly irregul for a few months.

Diabetic patients should monitor their bloo sugar more closely over the next few days.