Ultrasound Guided Injection This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with arthritis of the knee. The technique allows the physician to inject an inflammation-reducing steroid with maximum accuracy.

This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with arthritis of the knee.  The technique allows the physician to inject an inflammation-reducing steroid with maximum accuracy. Researchers wanted to determine if the use of ultrasound guidance would affect the outcomes of intra-articular injections—injections of medicine into, or removal of fluid from, arthritic joints—in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Dr. Wilmer Sibbitt, a professor of rheumatology and neurology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, and colleagues studied 94 knees randomly selected for injection administered via either the conventional palpation-guided method or the newer ultrasound-guided method.

When using the ultrasound-guided method, researchers were able to perform the procedure while confirming needle placement. Ultrasound guidance also was useful in guiding administration of lidocaine and the corticosteroid.

Preparation

In preparation for the procedure, the physician swabs the knee, injects a numbing medication and positions a hand-held ultrasound probe that will allow the physician to visualize the anatomy of the knee and accurately inject the medication

Injecting the Medication

The physician inserts a needle into the knee and guides it to the problem area using ultrasound imagery. The medication is then injected into the joint.

End of Procedure

When the injection is complete, the needle is removed. The local anesthetic and steroid solution in the knee joint will reduce inflammation and pain. The injection can be repeated if necessary.