What are Ultrasound-Guided Hip Injections?
An ultrasound scan is an imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound-guided hip joint injections can be used to relieve hip pain. The injection consists of a special mixture of an anesthetic and a steroid that blocks pain impulses and reduces inflammation in the injected area.
The hip joint helps to bear your body’s weight while standing, walking and running. The joint may become painful and inflamed due to overuse, trauma or certain medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, leading to pain in the hip, thigh or buttock. The pain may increase with certain activities and movements.
Hip injections can be effective in alleviating hip pain from arthritis. Dr. McNabb does perform ultrasound guided hip injections in the office. If he feels this is a treatment option for you, he will discuss the risks and benefits of that injection with you prior to peforming.
Anatomy of the Hip Joint
The hip joint is a ball and socket joint and is the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body. The head of the thigh bone or femur forms the “ball” and the acetabulum of the pelvis is the “socket or cup”. These bones come together to form the hip joint.
The hip joint is made up of:
- Bones and joints
- Ligaments
- Muscles and tendons
- Nerves and blood vessels
Indications for Ultrasound-Guided Hip Injections
Hip joint injections are usually indicated to treat hip joint pain not relieved by other conservative treatment options. Conditions treated with hip joint injections include:
- Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
- Synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining)
- Defects of the hip labrum (the raised rim of cartilage that borders the lining of the acetabulum)
- Trauma or post-surgical pain
Ultrasound-guided hip injections can provide an effective treatment for hip pain and inflammation when medications and other conservative treatments are inadequate and surgery is not recommended. You may resume normal activities the day of the procedure as advised by your doctor.
Risks and Complications of Ultrasound-Guided Hip Injections
Risks and complications with this procedure are rare and include:
- Bruising at the injection site
- Allergic reaction
- Infection
- Advancing of the arthritic condition of the hip
