CT & Ultrasound Guided Injections

CT and ultrasound guided injections use medical imaging to help a radiologist accurately position a needle in a joint, around a nerve or within another targeted area. These procedures are commonly used to help manage pain and inflammation affecting the joints, spine and surrounding soft tissues. Medication may include corticosteroid, commonly called cortisone or steroid, and local anaesthetic.

Available At

Berwick
Chelsea Heights
Cranbourne West
Dandenong CBD
Somerville

Corticosteroid / Cortisone Injections

Corticosteroid injections, also known as cortisone or steroid injections, may be used to reduce pain and inflammation in or around a joint or other targeted area. 

Epidural Injections

An epidural corticosteroid injection, also called an epidural steroid injection or spinal epidural injection, places medication into the epidural space around the spinal nerves and may be used for back, leg or nerve-related pain. 

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections, also called facet injections or facet joint blocks, target the small joints at the back of the spine and may help manage pain associated with inflammation or degeneration. 

Nerve Root Blocks

A nerve root block may also be called a nerve root injection, nerve root sleeve injection or selective nerve root block. Medication is placed around a specific spinal nerve to help reduce inflammation and may also help determine whether that nerve is contributing to your symptoms. 

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

A sacroiliac joint injection, also known as an SI joint or SIJ injection, targets the joint where the lower spine and pelvis meet and may be used when this joint is suspected to be contributing to pain. 

Shoulder Hydrodilatation

Shoulder hydrodilatation, also called hydrodilation, shoulder joint distension or a frozen shoulder injection, is commonly used to help manage frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) by gently expanding the joint capsule. 

What to expect during your injection

The radiologist will use CT or ultrasound imaging to identify the area being treated. The skin is cleaned, local anaesthetic may be used, and a fine needle is guided into position before the prescribed medication is injected. You may feel a brief sting or some pressure during the procedure. 

Preparing for an image-guided injection

Please let our team know when booking if you take blood-thinning medication, have diabetes or medication allergies, are unwell or have an infection, or are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed to do so. Please follow the preparation instructions provided when booking. 

Benefits of CT and ultrasound guided injections

Imaging guidance helps the radiologist accurately target the area being treated. Depending on the procedure, an injection may help reduce pain and inflammation, improve movement or provide useful information about the source of your symptoms.

FAQ’s

  • The terms are commonly used to describe the same type of anti-inflammatory medication. You may also hear this referred to as a steroid injection.

  • Imaging guidance allows the radiologist to see the joint, nerve or other structure being targeted and guide the needle accurately into position.

  • An epidural places medication into the epidural space around the spinal nerves, while a nerve root injection targets a specific nerve root. Your doctor will request the procedure most appropriate for your symptoms.

  • Shoulder hydrodilatation is commonly used to treat frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. You may also hear it called hydrodilation or shoulder joint distension.

  • You may feel a brief sting from the local anaesthetic and some pressure or temporary discomfort during the injection.

  • This depends on the procedure and medication used. Some spinal and nerve injections may temporarily cause numbness or weakness, so please follow the instructions provided when booking.