Ultrasound For Your Pain Practice: A Good Idea?

In recent years, ultrasound-guided procedures have become a key part of my pain practice.

There are several advantages to using ultrasound for pain management, making it not only a good business move, but more importantly, a good move for your patients.

Some of the main advantages are obvious. Actually seeing the nerve, as opposed to a blind approach, is very attractive, and may lead to better diagnostic and procedural quality, although there is no data that I know of that show ultrasound to be superior fluoroscopy for these procedures. 

I personally have performed several types of injections with guided ultrasound, including suprascapular nerve for patients with postoperative shoulder pain, as well as occipital nerve block. Using ultrasound for occipital nerve blocks has enabled me to decrease the volume of local anesthetic while increasing the accuracy of the shot.

I have also used ultrasound for TAP blocks, popliteal blocks, as well as brachial plexus injections where the patients have complained of having limited range of motion, and in this podcast, offer you suggestions for patients where ultrasound may be best incorporated. 

In conclusion, I believe that as a profession, ultrasound will be used more in the future in our profession, and encourage you to consider incorporating this quick, easy and affordable option into your pain management strategy.

DISCLAIMER: Dr. Rosenblum IS HERE SOLELY TO EDUCATE, AND YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL YOUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.This blog and related podcast is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physician to a particular patient or specific ailment. You can see more of Dr. Rosenblum’s thoughts and podcasts at:  AABPPAIN.com and his pain board review site: Painexam.com