Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling
Guided Injections.
Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling
A specialist technique called ultrasound-guided dry needling is used to address persistent tendon problems that have not improved with conservative treatment. This method uses a hypodermic needle guided by real-time ultrasound imaging, rather than traditional dry needling, which involves inserting an acupuncture needle into a tense muscle to relieve tension.
By precisely focusing on the injured tendon tissue, this method prevents deterioration and promotes the body’s natural healing process, reducing your pain.
Why consider Dry Needling Under Ultrasound Guidance?
Ultrasound-guided dry needling might be a good option if your chronic tendon discomfort is limiting your function or mobility, and conservative measures like exercise therapy haven’t been effective enough. Using a tiny needle to introduce controlled stress can cause an inflammatory response when a tendon reaches a healing plateau, which helps the tissue repair. For conditions such as tennis elbow and other tendon-related pain syndromes, this approach works exceptionally well.
What to expect along the way
To assess the condition of your tendon and ensure that dry needling remains a suitable course of treatment, the physiotherapist will first perform an ultrasound during your visit. A tiny hypodermic needle is repeatedly inserted into the injured tendon using a “no-touch” aseptic approach. Degenerative tissue is broken down, and the healing process is restarted with this procedure. Despite the possibility of minor discomfort, the treatment is usually well tolerated and lasts only a brief time.
In certain situations, the physician could advise adding injections of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the treatment to increase its healing potential. To help you make an informed choice about your treatment plan, these choices will be explained beforehand.
Recovery and Aftercare
It is recommended to rest for a few days after the treatment to allow the body to begin healing. Anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided since the aim is to promote inflammation, which could obstruct this vital initial stage of tissue repair. It’s common to feel a little irritated after the procedure before you notice any benefits.
Is the ultrasound-guided dry needling Painful?
Although there may be some discomfort during the process, ultrasound guidance ensures the treatment is administered accurately, thereby improving efficiency. We advise you to speak with your healthcare provider in advance if you have any questions concerning pain management or whether this technique is suitable for your condition.
Please schedule a consultation with your medical professional for further details or to determine whether ultrasound-guided dry needling is appropriate for you.
Possible Risks
Dry needling guided by ultrasound is a popular and low-risk technique. There is a slight chance of infection, though, just like with any injection-based therapy. Infections after such procedures are highly uncommon, occurring in about 1 in 50,000 cases. Strict aseptic procedures are used to further lower risk.
Although there is a slight chance of damaging nearby soft tissues, blood vessels, or nerves, the risk is significantly reduced when ultrasound guidance is used. Before commencing therapy, it might be necessary to speak with your healthcare provider if you are on blood thinners such as Warfarin.
Dunning, J., Butts, R., Mourad, F., Young, I., Flannagan, S., & Perreault, T. (2014). Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. Physical therapy reviews, 19(4), 252-265.
Romero-Morales, C., Bravo-Aguilar, M., Abuin-Porras, V., Almazan-Polo, J., Calvo-Lobo, C., Martinez-Jimenez, E. M., … & Navarro-Flores, E. (2021). Current advances and novel research on minimal invasive techniques for musculoskeletal disorders. Disease-a-Month, 67(10), 101210.
Ma, X., Qiao, Y., Wang, J., Xu, A., & Rong, J. (2024). Therapeutic effects of dry needling on lateral epicondylitis: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Grabowski, F., Rulewska, N., Neska, D., Siemko, J., Chodkowski, J., Prystacka-Szar, D., … & Waśniowska, M. (2025). Is dry needling an effective treatment for tennis elbow? A literature review. Quality in Sport, 37, 57800-57800.
Radhakrishnan, S., & Jothilingam, M. (2024). Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Lateral Epicondylitis Patient Compared to Ultrasound Therapy. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 18.
Your Clinician
BSc Physiotherapy MSCP (Hons)
PGCert Independent Medical Prescriber
PGCert Soft Tissue and Joint Injection Therapist
PGCert Diagnostic Ultrasound