I went to a new rheumy and she wants me to have an ultrasound done on my knees. I'm hesitant since I have RSD in my knees and get that awful, terrible, burning pain in them. I do not want to do anything that will cause a flare. Has anyone had an ultrasound done on a RSD area? Any thoughts, or suggestions?
Thanks,
Linmarie

No No dont run lol, just kidding around!

It wont hurt much at all, and if it does, it wont be bad. It just vibrates, and they dont have to push real hard on your skin.

Now if they say EMG.............Run!! LOL

EMG's are real uncomfortable, but sometimes needed to find nerve damage.

LOL Allen! this is sooooooo funny!.. Run!! hahaha now, the EMG's are not that bad! ... I say, run as fast as ya can to the hills on EMG.. LOL.. I will NEVER get another once since I was dx with RSD! my Nero Dr. had a "new unexperienced nurse do it on me".. she did it all wrong, so he re-did this EMG on me too! It took 3 hrs. yes.. 3 hrs.I told him to "STOP".. no more.. and jumped off that table so fast.. LOL.. no wonder my RSD spread!! ( If they need to find more nerve damage they can do an ultra sound on me any 'ol day!! :0)

Hi there,
I have recently had bilateral ultrasound on my knees with removal of effusions in the joints.---About 120mls from my left and 75mls from my right.
They used the ultrasound to guide the needle into the joint.
The pain was what I would call normal pain that I would expect from being touched but there was anaesthetic injected into each joint which made it more bearable.
As long as the radiologist is gentle then the sound waves created by the ultrasound sould not cause too much pain and certainly no bad side effects.
It was soooooooooo nice to be able to bend my knees again after the fluid was removed I would have it every day if I could
Good luck
Tayla

Hi Tayla! This is all so new to me! I thought an ultrasound was painless, used without needles? How long ago did you have this done?what about the dangers of this spreading by using this? Bilateral ultrasound can remove fluid from effusions in the joints?? Now, I am interested in more info on this. does anyone have more info .. a link you can post on this treatment? does and can it cause spreading? TIA(Thanks in advance) Love, Desi

Real funny, Allen. I always appreciate a laugh!

Tayla, very interesting. I don't know what the purpose for my ultrasound but did put it off until I talk to her Monday and ask why.

I have had EMGs on my legs - I survived. But I don't remember them really touching my knees. And it's my knees that are particulary sensitive and painful.

Call me a chicken put I'm putting it off until she convinces me otherwise.

Thanks for your inputs,
Linmarie

Sorry Desi, I just saw this query.
The differance between the ultrasound that is usually used in Physiotherapy and what I had is just that mine was called "real time" Ultrasound meaning they were watching the screen and getting vision at the same time as using the transducer. My physio does use a "real time" ultrasound machine anyway as he likes to see the condition of the tissue he is working on.
I had the ultrasound specifically as the treatment of knee effusions as I had, over a number of days become extremely swollen in my knee joints and was totally unable to bend them.
Ultrasound is painless usually, the only pain maybe from the pressing of the transducer onto painful RSD areas.
Take care
Tayla