Objective: Myotendinous strains, contusions, and hematomas are common injuries in American football. Along with ligament sprains and inflammatory disorders, musculoskeletal injuries often result in lost participation time. This article summarizes 18 years of experience with 128 ultrasound-guided drainages and injections in 69 football players with 88 injuries.
Conclusion: When performed by an operator with sufficient expertise in diagnostic and procedural skills, ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal interventions are minimally invasive, are safe, and can play an integral role in injury management.
Keywords: MRI; athletic injury; biologic therapy; contusion; corticosteroids; drainage; football; hematoma; injection; intervention; muscle strain; musculoskeletal; sports; ultrasound.