Image-Guided Botox

What is Image-Guided Botox?

An image-guided Botox injection is a minimally invasive, image-guided therapy used to help treat muscle pain. During the procedure, one of our musculoskeletal radiologists injects Botox medicine into a muscle to relieve spasms that may be causing you pain. The radiologist uses ultrasound to guide the needle to the correct spot.

An image-guided Botox injection often takes about 20 minutes from the time you lie on the table to the time the Botox injection is done.

How to Prepare for Image-Guided Botox

• Consultation - Anyone undergoing an image-guided Botox injection must be evaluated by our staff prior to the surgery. Sometimes, a phone call works as your consultation, but typically you will be seen in person.
• Images - Please bring any imaging studies not performed at Mass General Imaging to your consultation appointment, including plain radiographs and MRI images.
• When to Arrive - Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment on the day of the procedure to check in.
• Risks - An image-guided Botox injection is safe, but small risks include bleeding or infection. Please let us know about any risks that concern you at the time of your appointment.

What to Expect After Image-Guided Botox

After we give your Botox injection, we will go over any special instructions and let you know when it is safe for you to go home. Most people can leave the hospital right away. It is okay for you to drive yourself home after the procedure. After your Botox injection, it’s important to follow the specific instructions we give you. You should take it easy for the rest of the day.