Ultrasound
Sonographer, Simon Clark offers Ultrasound Imaging to help diagnose painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, shoulder tendonosis, tennis elbow, trigger finger, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma and Achilles tendinopathy among others.
Simon is not only an experienced Sonographer but is also an MSK Podiatrist and trained as a Chiropractor. He has worked with the NHS for many years and has a wealth of clinical experience.
The ultrasound scanner sends out high frequency soundwaves and creates high-resolution images on the computer screen. The clarity of the images is remarkable.
Ultrasound Guided Injections
Joint pain is particularly unpleasant and can seriously impact your everyday life. Often problems are treatable, and an ultrasound scan can not only help diagnose the issue, but can guide a targeted injection to easing stiffness and reduce pain and inflammation.
Guided injections of local anaesthetic, steroid or Ostenil® are available for feet, ankles, and knees. The reason for injecting is to reduce pain and allow the patient a window of opportunity to gradually increase the load on the area – so they are free to return to the activities they used to enjoy.
A diagnostic ultrasound scan is required before deciding if an injection is indicated. Depending on the complexity of the procedure an injection can usually be offered at the initial diagnostic scan appointment at no additional cost.
Steroid Injections – methylprednisolone
Steroid injections can be used for Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, ganglions and osteoarthritis of the knee, ankle, and foot. Many orthopaedic surgeons will recommend steroid injections before considering an operation.
Hyaluronate (Ostenil®) Injections for Tendon and Joint Pain
Sodium hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan) is a natural substance which serves as a lubricant, a filter for inflammatory molecules, a medium for nutrient transport and stores moisture. It is a component of synovial fluid which is found in joints and tendon sheaths.
Ostenil® is a treatment for the symptoms of tendonosis and osteoarthritis in joints such as the knee, ankle, or big toe joint. In these joints the ends of the bones are enclosed in a capsule containing a thick, slippery liquid called synovial fluid. Sometimes the synovial fluid breaks down, which causes stiffness and pain. Ostenil® Plus is a solution containing hyaluronic acid, which when injected into the joint, which can improve stiffness and pain.
More information about Ostenil® can be found on the TRB Chemedica website ostenil.trbchemedica.co.uk.
More information on sonography can be sourced from the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), Registered of Clinical Technologists and Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
