Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of Two Injection Techniques for Intra-articular Hip Injections.
Intra-articular hip joint injections have traditionally relied on the use of image guidance to confirm intra-articular needle placement. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) has emerged as a popular tool to aid the clinician in performing intra-articular hip injections. Modern automated injection delivery systems are commercially available and may offer the potential to optimize clinical efficiency while limiting procedural morbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes and clinical efficiency between two US-guided intra-articular hip injection techniques. The hypothesis was that the use of an automated delivery system for US-guided intra-articular hip joint injections would show superiority in clinical efficiency over traditional syringe injections. ⋯ Use of an automated delivery system for US-guided intra-articular hip injections did not show superior efficiency or patient comfort over traditional syringe injections. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections led to clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and function for patients with intra-articular hip pain, irrespective of the delivery method. Smoking history and female sex were independent predictors of increased pain associated with intra-articular hip joint injections.