How Do You Use an Ultrasound Machine in Pain Management?
Pain is not considered fun, but it is so often something we are faced with at different times throughout life. And, with the right approach, it can be managed. Even chronic pain can be properly approached in a way that one’s quality of life can be restored.
Pain management can come in many different forms, including lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, natural remedies to healing, physical therapy treatments, medication, and sometimes even surgical procedures.
Having all these options is great, but before you can determine the best method of treatment, it is necessary to properly locate and diagnose the root cause of the pain. This is where ultrasound machines make their debut.
The GE NextGen Logiq e ultrasound is a popular choice among doctors requiring .
Pain Management Using an Ultrasound
There are many types of doctors who rely on their ultrasound machines when diagnosing and treating patients who are in pain. These include primary care physicians, rheumatologists, orthopedists, sports medicine physicians, and more. It’s evident that the use of these portable ultrasound machines plays a large role in how their practice approaches each patient.
Below are a few examples of how they are used.
Finding Nerves. For individuals dealing with painful neuropathy, it can be tough for doctors to locate certain nerves using other diagnostic tools. However, with an ultrasound, they can be located and addressed. This can be said for any soft tissues, vessels, and nerves.
GE NextGen LOGIQ e L4-12t ultrasound transducer with programmable buttons used for guided injections.
Joint Issues. The shoulder and the hip are two very intricate joints. So when something goes wrong - such as a rotator cuff injury or an issue with the bursa in the hip joint, having an ultrasound to take a closer look can allow for a proper diagnosis.
Fluid on the knee joint. By being able to see under the surface, doctors are able to determine whether there is fluid on the knee joint or diagnosis other meniscus injuries. This will lead to the proper treatment.
By investing in a portable ultrasound machine, doctors are able to reduce the time needed to diagnose where the pain is coming from - and more accurately provide treatment and pain management.
A Mindray ultrasound machine is being used for guided injection with iNeedle enhancements.
Ultrasound-Guided Injections
One of the major ways an ultrasound machine is used for treating pain is with ultrasound-guided injections. Tens of millions of people deal with pain caused by arthritis and osteoarthritis. For some, medication works. For others, something more is needed before opting for surgical measures. That means injecting medications that will provide relief directly to the source. And, it isn’t just arthritis patients who get these injections. Many athletes, accident victims, or anyone who has pain in a muscle, joint, tendon, or ligament can benefit from various types of injections.
Patients find that these injections work beautifully at reducing pain. Unfortunately, they don’t always work. Why? Because doctors are administering the injection blindly without reaching the exact area where it needs to be. A little off and you won’t get the same results.
Ultrasound-guided injections have a much higher rate of accuracy and can help the doctor navigate so that the medicine gets administered exactly where it needs to be. All of this is shown in real-time on the screen. The result is that more patients are receiving a high treatment efficacy - and that is always a positive thing.
The Mindray TE5 portable ultrasound shown here is another popular system used for pain management.
Universal Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. can help you provide your patients with the benefit of an in-office diagnosis and accurate treatment options. Learn more about implementing a portable ultrasound machine into your practice by contacting us at (760) 754-3288.