Objectives

This MSK Ultrasound Essentials course covers how to acquire ultrasound views of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers to answer the clinical questions:

• Is there a joint or bursal effusion?
• Is the joint enlocated?
• Is the synovial thickening or synovitis?
• Is there nerve entrapment? Is the nerve enlarged?
• Is the tendon intact?

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise normal ultrasound anatomy of shoulder including rotator cuff tendons, Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ), Acromioclavicular Joint (ACJ), and surrounding structures.
• Recognise normal ultrasound anatomy of the elbow including medial and lateral Epicondyle tendon and ligament attachments, anterior elbow including bicep insertion, posterior elbow including tricep insertion, joints, bursae, and nerves including radial, PIN, median & ulnar nerve.
• Recognise normal ultrasound anatomy of wrist, hand and fingers including extensor and flexor tendons, joints, carpal tunnel, Guyon’s Canal, nerves including radial, medial and ulnar nerve.
• Acquire images and measurements of shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, including the use of dynamic techniques.
• Identify the sonographic appearances of abnormalities such as joint effusion, bursal effusion, tendinopathy, tendonosis, ligament and tendon disruption, joint disruption, dislocation & degeneration, fracture, nerve entrapment and other abnormalities in surrounding structures.
• Recognise the limitations of ultrasound and determine when to on-refer patients for formal scanning or complimentary investigations.