top of page
Common causes of Hip Pain Treated with Ultrasound Guided Injections
Young Adults (20-40 years)
Hip Labral Tears
Description: Tears in the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of the hip joint socket.
​
Symptoms: Deep groin pain, clicking or locking of the hip, and restricted range of motion.
​
Treatment: PRP injections can promote healing of the labral tear and reduce inflammation and pain.
Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement)
Description: Abnormal contact between the hip bone and the socket, leading to joint damage.
​
Symptoms: Pain in the groin or hip, especially during or after flexing the hip, reduced range of motion.
​
Treatment: Steroid injections can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, while PRP may assist in repairing damaged tissues.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Description: Tendons snapping over the hip bone during movement.
​
Symptoms: A snapping sensation or sound in the hip, sometimes accompanied by pain.
​
Treatment: Steroid injections can reduce inflammation in the tendons and alleviate pain.
Middle-Aged Adults (40-60 years)
Trochanteric Bursitis
Description: Inflammation of the bursa located at the outer point of the hip (greater trochanter).
​
Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the hip, worsens with activities such as walking or climbing stairs, tenderness over the greater trochanter.
​
Treatment: Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
​
Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy
Description: Degeneration or inflammation of the gluteus medius tendon.
​
Symptoms: Pain on the side of the hip, especially when lying on the affected side, and weakness in hip abduction.
​
Treatment: PRP injections can promote healing and reduce inflammation, while steroid injections can provide quick pain relief.
Hip Osteoarthritis
Description: Degeneration of the hip joint cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness
​
Symptoms: Hip pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort that may radiate to the groin or thigh.
​
Treatment: PRP injections can help slow the progression of osteoarthritis and reduce pain, while steroid injections can provide quick relief from inflammation and pain.
​
Older Adults (60+ years)
Hip Osteoarthritis (Advanced Stages)
Description: Progressive degeneration of the hip joint cartilage, leading to severe pain and loss of function.
​
Symptoms: Persistent hip pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, and pain radiating to the groin, buttocks, or knee.
​
Treatment: Both PRP and steroid injections can help manage symptoms. PRP may promote healing and reduce inflammation, while steroids can quickly reduce inflammation and pain.​
Hip Tendonitis
Description: Inflammation of the tendons around the hip joint.
​
Symptoms: Pain and tenderness in the hip, especially with movement, swelling, and a burning sensation.
​
Treatment: PRP injections can promote healing in chronic cases, while steroid injections can reduce acute inflammation and pain.
Iliopsoas Bursitis
Description: Inflammation of the bursa located between the iliopsoas muscle and the hip joint.
​
Symptoms: Pain in the groin or front of the hip, which may radiate to the thigh or knee, and pain that worsens with hip flexion.
​
Treatment: Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain is a common issue that can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life. It can result from injuries, wear and tear, or underlying medical conditions. The most common causes of hip pain include:
-
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage in the hip joint to wear down, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
-
Hip Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between the hip bones and soft tissues, causing pain on the outside of the hip.
-
Labral Tears: Injuries to the ring of cartilage (labrum) that surrounds the hip joint, often caused by trauma or repetitive motion.
-
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons around the hip, typically due to overuse or repetitive activities.
Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment of hip pain are crucial to prevent further damage and ensure a faster recovery. Delaying treatment can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and a lower quality of life. Ultrasound-guided injections offer precise, effective treatment options to address a wide range of hip pain conditions.
What Are Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
Ultrasound-guided injections are a minimally invasive treatment option designed to deliver medication directly to the source of pain in the hip. Using real-time ultrasound imaging, healthcare providers can guide the injection needle with high precision, ensuring the medication is delivered exactly where it’s needed.
How Ultrasound-Guided Injections Work
During the procedure, a small ultrasound device is used to create real-time images of your hip. These images allow the healthcare provider to accurately guide the needle to the affected area, whether it's within a joint, tendon, or surrounding soft tissues. This precision increases the effectiveness of the treatment and reduces the risk of complications.
Benefits of Using Ultrasound Guidance
-
Increased Precision: Ultrasound guidance ensures that the injection is administered directly to the affected area, enhancing the treatment’s effectiveness.
-
Reduced Discomfort: The accurate needle placement facilitated by ultrasound imaging minimizes discomfort during the procedure.
-
Improved Outcomes: Patients typically experience quicker relief from pain and better overall outcomes due to the targeted nature of the injections.
Types of Ultrasound-Guided Injections for Hip Pain
​We offer a variety of ultrasound-guided injections to effectively treat hip pain, including steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, high-volume injections, and nerve hydrodissection. Each type of injection is tailored to address specific conditions and symptoms.
Steroid Injections for Hip Pain
Steroid injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain in the hip. They are particularly effective for conditions such as osteoarthritis, hip bursitis, and tendinitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of steroids help to decrease swelling and pain, improving hip function and mobility.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Lubrication for Joint Pain
Hyaluronic acid injections provide lubrication to the hip joint, helping to reduce pain and improve movement. These injections are especially beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis, as they can enhance the natural lubrication and cushioning of the hip joint, leading to long-lasting pain relief.
PRP Injections: Promoting Natural Healing
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections involve using a concentration of your own blood platelets to promote healing in the hip. PRP is rich in growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, making it an excellent option for treating chronic hip pain, including labral tears and early-stage osteoarthritis.
High-Volume Injections: Relieving Chronic Tendon Pain
High-volume injections involve injecting a larger volume of saline solution, often mixed with corticosteroids, into the affected tendon area. This technique helps to reduce adhesions, improve tendon function, and alleviate chronic hip pain, particularly in cases of tendinitis or chronic bursitis.
Nerve Hydrodissection: Relief for Nerve Entrapment Syndromes
Nerve hydrodissection is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat nerve entrapment syndromes in the hip. The technique involves injecting a solution around the nerve to separate it from surrounding tissues, reducing compression and irritation. This treatment is effective for relieving chronic hip pain caused by nerve entrapment.
Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Injections
Ultrasound-guided injections offer several key benefits for treating hip pain:
-
Precision Targeting for Effective Pain Relief: By using ultrasound imaging, the injection is delivered precisely to the area of inflammation or injury, ensuring maximum effectiveness.
-
Reduced Discomfort During Procedure: The use of real-time ultrasound imaging allows for accurate needle placement, which can minimize discomfort during the injection process.
-
Faster Recovery and Improved Outcomes: Patients often experience quicker relief from pain and a faster return to normal activities, thanks to the targeted nature of the treatment.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound-Guided Injection
Understanding what to expect during your ultrasound-guided injection can help ease any concerns and prepare you for the procedure.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Procedure
-
Preparation: You will be positioned comfortably, and the area around your hip will be cleaned and sterilized.
-
Ultrasound Imaging: A small ultrasound device will be used to create real-time images of your hip, allowing the healthcare provider to identify the exact location for the injection.
-
Injection: The provider will use the ultrasound images to guide the needle to the precise area of pain. The medication is then injected directly into the affected tissue.
-
Post-Procedure Care: After the injection, you may be advised to rest the hip for a short period. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days.
Pre-Procedure Preparation
You may be asked to avoid certain medications or activities before the procedure. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure the best possible outcome.
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
After the injection, you may experience some mild discomfort or swelling at the injection site. Applying ice and taking over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended can help alleviate these symptoms. Most patients experience significant pain relief within a few days.
Risks and Considerations for Ultrasound-Guided Injections
While ultrasound-guided injections are generally safe, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and considerations.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
-
Infection: As with any injection, there is a small risk of infection at the injection site. Proper sterilization techniques minimize this risk.
-
Allergic Reactions: Rarely, patients may experience an allergic reaction to the injected substance.
-
Temporary Discomfort: Some patients may experience temporary pain or swelling at the injection site following the procedure.
Who Should Avoid Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
Ultrasound-guided injections may not be suitable for everyone. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders or severe allergies to the injection components, should discuss alternatives with their healthcare provider. Additionally, those who have had recent infections or are pregnant should consult with their provider before undergoing this treatment.
Tired of taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and tramadol etc. Completed physical therapy and still feeling the same?
Uncertain about your condition? Please fill out the form and I will get back to you.
bottom of page