Ankle and foot
Ultrasound-guided injection of the sinus tarsi (subtalar joint)
The subtalar joint, often responsible for lateral and posterior ankle pain, is reached with precision under ultrasound guidance.
How it is performed
The sinus tarsi is the space between the calcaneus and the talus that houses the subtalar joint, responsible for the inversion-eversion movement of the foot. When it develops osteoarthritis, it causes lateral pain and instability. Using ultrasound, the joint is identified and the needle is introduced under direct visualisation, with high accuracy even in patients with swelling or deformity; a corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid is then injected. Outpatient procedure.
Who it is for
- Subtalar osteoarthritis with lateral and posterior ankle pain
- Persistent pain after a sprain (residual instability)
- Sinus tarsi synovitis not responding to conservative treatment
Recovery
You can walk immediately, avoiding load-bearing activity and sport for 48 hours. Relief appears within a few days.
Conditions treated in this area: ankle (tibiotalar) osteoarthritis, sinus tarsi / subtalar joint osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, achilles tendinopathy and tendon sheath disorders (posterior tibial, peroneal).
Scientific evidence
Accuracy studies show that ultrasound-guided injection of the foot and ankle joints reaches the correct site in over 90% of cases, compared with much lower rates with the freehand technique. Ultrasound guidance of the subtalar joint is recommended given its depth and proximity to tendon and vascular structures.
References on PubMed
- Accuracy of ultrasound guided injections in the foot and ankle.
Reach JS, Easley ME, et al. — Foot Ankle Int, 2009 · PMID 19321101
- Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Procedures in Pain Medicine: A Review of Anatomy, Sonoanatomy, and Procedures: Part VI: Ankle Joint.
Narouze SN, et al. — Reg Anesth Pain Med, 2016 · PMID 26655217
Published data describe average results in groups of patients and are not a prediction of an individual outcome. The indication for treatment must always be assessed during a consultation.
Want to know if it is right for you?
At the first consultation we review your clinical history and previous imaging together.