Ultrasound-guided injections
The right treatment, delivered to exactly the right place. At our Leichhardt clinic we use live ultrasound to guide injections with precision — whether that’s cortisone, PRP or hyaluronic acid.
Why we guide injections with ultrasound
An injection is only as good as its placement. Ultrasound turns a blind procedure into one we can see — which means better accuracy, greater safety and more confidence that the treatment reaches the structure causing your pain.
Accuracy
The needle tip and target are visible in real time — not estimated from surface landmarks.
Safety
We can see and steer clear of blood vessels, nerves and tendons along the way.
Confidence
Guidance confirms the medication reaches the intended joint, bursa or soft tissue.
Efficiency
Better targeting often means fewer attempts, with the procedure done in minutes.
Three guided injection options
Each is delivered under ultrasound at our Leichhardt clinic. Explore the option relevant to you — or book an assessment and we’ll recommend the right one.
Cortisone injections
A potent anti-inflammatory for bursitis, joint flares, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel and nerve-related pain — fast relief that opens a window for rehabilitation.
Learn about cortisone → RegenerativePRP injections
Platelet-rich plasma uses your own blood to support healing — often chosen for chronic tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, where cortisone is best avoided.
Learn about PRP → Joint lubricationHyaluronic acid injections
A gel-like lubricant for osteoarthritic joints — an alternative or complement to cortisone for longer-term joint comfort and function.
Learn about hyaluronic acid →Not sure which you need? That’s exactly what an assessment is for. The best injection depends on an accurate diagnosis — we’d rather get that right than reach for the most common option.
What to expect
Assess & scan
We examine you, review any imaging and use ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and the best target.
Guided injection
The skin is cleaned, local anaesthetic is usually used, and the injection is delivered under live ultrasound — in minutes.
Aftercare & rehab
You’ll rest the area briefly, then use the window of relief to progress your rehabilitation with our team.
Common areas for guided injections
Ultrasound-guided injection FAQs
For questions specific to a treatment, see the cortisone, PRP or hyaluronic acid pages — or contact the clinic.
It’s an injection performed while watching a live ultrasound image. Rather than relying on surface landmarks and feel, your clinician sees the needle and the target structure on-screen in real time, and guides the needle precisely into place.
Accuracy. Research consistently shows guided injections reach the intended target more reliably than landmark-only techniques — particularly in deeper or more complex areas such as the shoulder, hip and spine. Seeing the needle also lets us steer clear of blood vessels, nerves and tendons.
It depends entirely on your diagnosis. Cortisone suits inflammatory and compressive problems; PRP is often chosen for chronic tendon and joint problems where cortisone is best avoided; hyaluronic acid lubricates osteoarthritic joints. The most important step is an accurate assessment — our physicians will examine you, review your imaging and recommend the option most likely to help.
No. The guidance is simply a probe resting on the skin — it adds no extra needles. If anything, better targeting can mean fewer attempts. A fine needle and local anaesthetic keep discomfort mild.
You can request an appointment online or call us on (02) 8540 8019. Our clinic is at 121 Norton Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040, with convenient access for patients across Inner West Sydney. A referral from your GP is helpful but not always required — contact us and we’ll guide you.
Find the right injection for your injury
Book an assessment at our Leichhardt clinic and our Sport & Exercise Physicians will recommend the most suitable, accurately guided treatment for you.
121 Norton Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
What is the Evidence on Ultrasound-Guided Injections?
The research on whether ultrasound-guided injections are superior to landmark injections for musculoskeletal conditions has shown varying results. While ultrasound guidance has been associated with certain advantages, such as improved accuracy and visualization, the overall superiority may depend on the specific context, the skill of the practitioner, and the targeted anatomical site. It's essential to consult the latest literature for the most up-to-date information.
Here are some key references that discuss this topic:
Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided versus Blind Intra-Articular Injection in Hip Joints of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients:
- Reference: Zhao J, et al. (2018). Ultrasound-guided versus blind injection for MR arthrogram in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a diagnostic accuracy study. Pediatric Rheumatology, 16(1), 12.
- Link: Ultrasound-Guided vs. Blind Injection
- Findings: The study focused on hip injections and suggested that ultrasound guidance improved the accuracy of intra-articular injections, particularly in the context of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials:
- Reference: Zhang B, et al. (2018). Ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS ONE, 13(8), e0202703.
- Link: Ultrasound vs. Landmark Injection for Plantar Fasciitis
- Findings: This meta-analysis suggested that ultrasound-guided injections might be more effective than landmark-guided injections for corticosteroid injections in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided local corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis:
- Reference: Kuo TT, et al. (2018). Ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided local corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 99(4), 766-775.
- Link: Ultrasound vs. Landmark Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Findings: The systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that ultrasound-guided injections might offer better short-term relief for carpal tunnel syndrome compared to landmark-guided injections.
It's important to note that while some studies show potential advantages of ultrasound-guided injections, the evidence is not universally consistent across all musculoskeletal conditions. Additionally, the skill and experience of the practitioner in performing either type of injection can significantly impact the outcomes.