Ankle and foot
Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the ankle (tibiotalar joint)
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid placed with ultrasound precision inside the ankle joint, for osteoarthritic pain that worsens with weight-bearing.
How it is performed
The tibiotalar joint is superficial and clearly visible on ultrasound: this allows the needle to be placed precisely within the joint space, any effusion to be drained, and the medication (corticosteroid for acute inflammatory phases, hyaluronic acid for maintenance treatment of osteoarthritis) to be deposited exactly where needed, avoiding tendons, vessels and nerves. This is an ultrasound-guided procedure under local anaesthesia, through an access point of a few millimetres.
Who it is for
- Mild to moderate ankle osteoarthritis with pain on weight-bearing
- Synovitis and joint effusion not responding to rest and medication
- Persistent post-traumatic pain without a surgical indication
Recovery
No downtime: you can walk immediately, avoiding intense sport for 48 hours. Benefit develops within a few days and can last for months.
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
Literature reviews confirm that ultrasound-guided injections of the ankle and foot offer markedly better placement accuracy than a freehand injection, with better clinical response and lower risk of complications. Ultrasound guidance is now considered the standard for intra-articular ankle treatments.
References on PubMed
- Ultrasound guided injections in ankle and foot.
Orlandi D, Sconfienza LM, et al. — J Ultrasound, 2024 · PMID 37518823
- Existing Evidence on Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Sports Medicine.
Finnoff JT, et al. — Orthop J Sports Med, 2018 · PMID 29511701
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.