Ultrasound-guided hip infiltration

Ultrasound-guided hip injection is a medical procedure used to relieve pain and inflammation in the hip. It involves injecting a medication (local anesthetic, corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-derived growth factors) into the hip joint using a needle guided by ultrasound.

Ultrasound is used to guide the needle and ensure the medication is administered in the correct location. It also allows visualization of the joint and surrounding tissues, which can help reduce the risk of complications.

Ultrasound-Guided Hip Injection Procedure
The ultrasound-guided hip injection procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting and takes 15 to 20 minutes. Here is a summary of the procedure:

• Preparation: A prior ultrasound is performed, and the entry site is marked on the skin.
• Local Anesthesia: A small amount of local anesthetic is applied to the skin on the front of the hip to reduce pain during the injection.
• Asepsis: The skin is cleaned with antiseptic, and the equipment and drape are prepared under strict aseptic conditions.
• Ultrasound Guidance: An ultrasound is used to guide the needle into the hip joint and ensure the medication is administered in the correct location.
• Medication Injection: The medication is administered through the needle and into the hip joint.

When is an ultrasound-guided hip injection indicated?
Indications for an ultrasound-guided hip injection include:

• Hip arthritis: An ultrasound-guided injection can help relieve pain and inflammation in the hip joint caused by arthritis.
• Hip osteoarthritis: Ultrasound-guided injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or platelet growth factors can improve pain, function, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis.
• Femoroacetabular impingement: anatomical conditions of the hip that will lead to future osteoarthritis. Ultrasound-guided injections can improve hip pain and function as an adjunct to other therapeutic procedures such as activity modification or rehabilitation.
• Articular cartilage injuries: Treatments such as hyaluronic acid or platelet growth factors administered through ultrasound-guided injections can control pain and improve patients' quality of life.

It's important to note that ultrasound-guided hip injections should only be performed after a careful evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon with experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound. The physician may consider factors such as age, general health, and other previous treatments when deciding whether it's the right option for a specific patient.