Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injections for Hand Pain

If you are experiencing chronic pain or aches in your hand that just won’t go away, it can be extremely frustrating. Suddenly, simple tasks that we take for granted – like typing on a keyboard, texting on your phone, or even gripping a door handle – can become a huge challenge. Not to mention the pain of squeezing a tube of toothpaste or opening a jar of pickles!

Hand pain can impact almost every aspect of your day-to-day life. Whether it’s tying your shoelaces, cooking dinner, or just brushing your hair, hand pain can turn even the most mundane tasks into a challenge. You may find yourself avoiding certain activities altogether or relying on others to help you complete them.

In many cases, however, ultrasound-guided hand injections offer a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment option for a variety of hand conditions and illnesses. In this article, top Macomb County hand doctor Dr. Uzma Rehman discusses the benefits of ultrasound-guided hand injections for relieving hand pain.

What Are Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injections for Hand Pain?

The guided injection technique involves using ultrasound imaging to guide the injection of medication directly into the affected area, which can improve accuracy and effectiveness while reducing the risk of complications.

Conditions that can benefit from ultrasound-guided injections include carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendonitis, arthritis, and ganglion cysts, among others. The specific medication used in the injection may vary depending on the condition being treated, but often include corticosteroids (“steroids”) to reduce inflammation and pain – and/or hyaluronic acid to help lubricate and cushion the joint(s).

How Ultrasound-guided Injections Are Performed

The process of ultrasound-guided injections typically begins with the application of a topical anesthetic to the skin to reduce discomfort during the injection. The patient will then be positioned so that the affected area is visible on the ultrasound screen, and the doctor will use the ultrasound to guide the needle into the precise location where the medication is needed. Once the needle is in place, the medication is injected into the affected area, and the needle is removed.

Benefits of Ultrasound-guided Hand Steroid Injections

The benefits of ultrasound-guided injections over traditional injections include greater accuracy, reduced risk of complications, and improved patient outcomes. By visualizing the target area in real-time using ultrasound imaging, the doctor can ensure that the medication is delivered directly to the affected tissue.

This reduces the risk of inadvertent injection into nearby structures such as nerves or blood vessels. This can reduce the risk of complications such as nerve damage, bleeding, or infection, while also improving the effectiveness of the treatment.

Because ultrasound-guided injections are both safe and comfortable, they are typically well tolerated at any age – from youths to the elderly. Ultrasound-guided injections are a safe and effective treatment option for a wide range of painful hand conditions and illnesses.