Ultrasound Guided Procedures

Ultrasound Guided Procedures

Recent advancements in US technology has resulted in a rise in ultrasound guided (USG)procedures. The portability, relatively low cost, and superior spatial resolution of modern ultrasound machines and ability to guide procedures in real time has resulted in many new potential treatment avenues for tendinopathies and joint disorders beyond open, arthroscopic, or endoscopic surgery.

The ease and convenience of USG procedures make it a preferable option for many patients. Dr.Pourcho carries vast experience in the use of this growing tool. He is certified to do diagnostic and interventional ultrasound guided procedures with the American Registry forDiagnostic Sonography (ARDMS) and is a nationally and internationally known figure in diagnostic and interventional ultrasound.

What is an Ultrasound Guided Injection

An ultrasound guided injection is an injection done with real time ultrasound to ensure diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy. This contrasts with a palpation guided injection that has a high potential of not only being inaccurate, but possibly not therapeutic secondary to inaccuracies. Research has consistently demonstrated the superior accuracy of ultrasound guided injections over palpation guided injections.

Ultrasound can be used to guide injections and aspirations(fluid drainage) of joints or cysts for the treatment of osteoarthritis, procedures in or about tendons or fascia, cyst drainage, and nerve hydrodissections for symptomatic nerve entrapment.

Common Ultrasound Guided Procedures

Trigger Finger Release/Injection

Peripheral Nerve Hydrodissection

Minimally Invasive Ultrasound Guided Carpal Tunnel Release/Injection (Sonex Procedure)

De Quervain's Release/Injection

Tendinitis/Tendinopathy Treatments/Tenex Procedure

Regenerative Medicine/Platelet-rich-plasma(PRP)/ Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) injections

What to consider when undergoing ultrasound guided procedures

As with any invasive procedure, there is always an extremely low risk of infection, that the procedure will not work or not provide relief, or that there is neurovascular injury. The use of ultrasound for pre-procedure screening as well as for guidance during the procedure theoretically reduces these risks.

References

Watch Dr. Pourcho’s national lecture on lateral elbow tendinitis

See the full list of Dr. Pourcho's reference publications on this topic and more

‍General References

Dr. Pourcho's general reference articles and publications