Anatomical and ultrasound navigation of intra joint injections

Abstract

Optimization of joint syndrome treatment methods, including those based on the intra- and periarticular drug administration and invasive diagnostic techniques, remains high on the agenda of modern clinical rheumatology. The implementation and quite widely spread use of ultrasonographic visualization has been an impetus to the development of this type of treatment for joint diseases. Without any doubt, the quality of intraarticular injection performance mainly depends on the professional level of the specialist and his/hers procedural skills. However, here comes a predictable question: are these conditions sufficient to enable maximal precision, safety, and efficacy of intraarticular interventions? From this perspective, it is interesting to study the possibilities to improve the results of local treatments for the joint syndrome by means of the ultrasound navigation technique. Based on data presented in the literature review, we compared a “blind” invasive treatment method to the ultrasound navigation-guided intra- and periarticular interventions in patients with skeletomuscular and connective tissue disorders. The authors of the studies published point to higher safety, efficacy, procedure precision, and diagnostic quality of the information obtained by the ultrasound navigation. Its important advantages include wider possibilities and availability of this method in outpatient settings, due to its rather low costs and patients' safety. The information from the current literature review reflects an initial stage of studies on the evaluation of the role, significance, determination of potential of the ultrasound navigation to enhance the quality of diagnosis and invasive treatment in patients with joint syndromes of various origins and to minimize adverse effects.