Why would you inject blind?

by msk-direct | 19 Feb, 2025 | Others | 0 Comments

Why Would You Settle for Less? The Case for Ultrasound-Guided Injections

When it comes to treating joint pain, precision is everything. So why would you settle for an injection that might hit the right spot when you could have one that is nearly perfect every time?

Traditional landmark-guided injections rely on a physician’s anatomical knowledge and palpation skills to estimate where the needle should go. While this method has been used for years, research shows that it lacks the precision of ultrasound-guided injections, leading to lower accuracy and, in many cases, less effective treatment.

The Science: Ultrasound vs. Landmark-Guided Injections

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that ultrasound-guided injections were significantly more accurate than landmark-guided injections across various shoulder girdle sites【1】.

• Acromioclavicular joint: 93.6% accuracy with ultrasound vs. 68.2% with landmark-based (p<0.0001).
• Biceps tendon sheath & glenohumeral joint: Similar trends, with ultrasound proving superior.

But it’s not just one study confirming this. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) supports these findings, stating that ultrasound-guided injections into tendon sheaths or peritendinous regions have an accuracy rate between 87% and 100%, while landmark-guided injections fall between 27% and 60%【2】.

And if that’s not convincing enough, an umbrella review published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine concluded that ultrasound-guided injections are more accurate than landmark-guided injections for shoulder, bicipital groove, wrist, hip, and knee pain【3】.

Why Does Accuracy Matter?

An injection is only as good as its placement. If the medication isn’t delivered precisely where it’s needed, you’re gambling with results. More accurate injections mean:

✅ Better pain relief – Medication reaches the right area, maximizing effectiveness.
✅ Fewer complications – Lower risk of injecting into nerves, blood vessels, or surrounding tissues.
✅ Less wasted time and money – Why risk needing repeat procedures when you can get it right the first time?

So, Why Take the Risk?

If you’re in pain and considering an injection, ask yourself:

• Would you trust a surgeon who operates without imaging?
• Would you prefer guesswork over real-time precision?
• If there’s a tool that makes injections more effective, safer, and backed by research, why wouldn’t you choose it?

The reality is simple—ultrasound-guided injections offer superior accuracy, better outcomes, and fewer complications. Don’t settle for anything less than precision.

If you’re ready to experience the difference, schedule a consultation today. Your joints will thank you.

References

1. Aly AR, Rajasekaran S, Ashworth N. Ultrasound-Guided Shoulder Girdle Injections Are More Accurate and More Effective Than Landmark-Guided Injections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015;49(16):1042-9. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-093573.

2. Finnoff JT, Hall MM, Adams E, et al. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement: Interventional Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Sports Medicine. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2015;25(1):6-22. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000175.

3. Shen PC, Lin TY, Wu WT, Özçakar L, Chang KV. Comparison of Ultrasound- Vs. Landmark-Guided Injections for Musculoskeletal Pain: An Umbrella Review. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2024;56:jrm40679. doi:10.2340/jrm.v56.40769.