ULTRASOUND GUIDED INJECTION FOR SHOULDER PAIN

Vitality Pain Management Centers

CONTACT US

ULTRASOUND GUIDED INJECTION FOR SHOULDER PAIN

ULTRASOUND GUIDED INJECTION FOR SHOULDER PAIN IN KENTUCKY AND INDIANA

This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with arthritis of the shoulder. The technique allows the physician to inject the pain-relieving drugs of local anesthesia, anti-inflammatory steroid or other medications with maximum accuracy. The ultrasound probe is used to visualize the proper depth and placement of the needle to help overcome the ‘up to 70% miss’ rate seen in non-ultrasound guided injections of the area.

A black and white silhouette of a pencil on a white background.

Indications

Indications for this procedure are the same conditions that cause pain in the shoulder area. These can include frozen shoulder syndrome, rotator cuff injury, trauma, degeneration of the shoulder, arthritis, AC joint injury, biceps tendon injury, or other tendonitis or injury of the shoulder’s compact bone, joints or tendons that enable a rotational movement. It is one of the most complex areas of the body.

A clipboard with a check mark in a circle on it.

What to expect

The procedure is done as an outpatient, usually as an office procedure. Once access to the affected knee is obtained, the skin is numbed, and a small needle is guided into the area of concern after identification with the ultrasound probe. A small amount of local anesthesia or normal saline is injected to ensure proper needle placement, and the injection of the solution of steroids, local anesthesia or other medications are undertaken. A band-aid is applied, and rotation of the area as tolerated is encouraged to facilitate medication distribution.

outcomes

Many patients experience good to moderate relief at the time of injection. Most will need several days to realize the effects of the injection and the steroid effect noted after the local anesthesia wears off. Physical therapy, home exercise, and increased functionality and activity are encouraged as the injections’ purpose is to reduce pain while improving mobility. The injection may need to be repeated if pain recurs.

contact us
Share by: