Rotator cuff ultrasound-guided procedures: Technical and outcome improvements

Ultrasound has emerged as a low-cost, radiation-free and effective imaging technique to guide percutaneous procedures. The shoulder joint, thanks to its superficial anatomical position, represents a good target to perform such procedures under ultrasound guidance with an in-plane approach that allows a clear visualization of the needles during their whole path. However, the knowledge of some technical aspects and tips is essential to act in the most accurate way on target tissues that can be as small as a few millimeters. This article attempts to review the aspects of such procedures with a practical approach, emphasizing precautions and tricks based on day-by-day experience that may help to improve the outcome of percutaneous ultrasound-guided procedures around the shoulder.