The Accuracy and Efficacy of Palpation versus Image-Guided Peripheral Injections in Sports Medicine

There is much debate in the sports medicine community regarding the need for image guidance during peripheral joint and soft tissue injections. With the increasing availability of office-based ultrasound, many injections that were performed previously with a palpation-guided technique are being performed now under direct sonographic guidance. However some question the need for such guidance, particularly given the increased cost. This manuscript will review the reported accuracy and efficacy for various injections commonly performed in a sports medicine practice.