Is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Right for Your Rheumatology Practice?

Musculoskeletal ultrasound has been at the forefront of an imaging revolution in rheumatology as rheumatologists discover its usefulness in the evaluation of regional pain syndromes and inflammatory and crystalline arthropathies, as well as for injection guidance. As a consequence, there has been a growing need for educational opportunities that allow providers to become acquainted with the technology and techniques of musculoskeletal ultrasound and to explore its possibilities for their practice. The Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for Rheumatologists—Fundamentals is designed specifically for rheumatologists with limited ultrasound experience interested in the potential benefits of musculoskeletal ultrasound for their patients and who want to integrate musculoskeletal ultrasound into their practice from a solid educational foundation.

With an expert faculty providing you with personal guidance in the technology and application of musculoskeletal ultrasound, the course combines lectures and practical hands-on exercises in the anatomy and pathophysiology of the joints of the upper and lower extremities, as well as ultrasound guidance of aspirations, injections, and biopsies.

Course topics include:

• Image Acquisition and Ultrasound Technique;
• Technique of Ultrasound Guidance; and
• Billing, Coding, and Report Generation.

Additionally, in 2013, this course will include topics specifically for the pediatric rheumatologist, including Ultrasound and MRI in Pediatric Rheumatology and Sonographic Anatomy in Pediatric Rheumatology. This morning session will help introduce pediatric rheumatologists to ultrasound by addressing issues unique to that practice.

The Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for Rheumatologists—Fundamentals provides more than seven hours of hands-on experience scanning live patient models, instruction in basic needle guidance, and a comfortable five-to-one student–faculty ratio, giving you the tools you need to decide if musculoskeletal ultrasound is right for your practice.

Here are some comments from past participants of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for Rheumatologists—Fundamentals:

• “Excellent speakers.”
• “Very glad I took this course.”
• “Outstanding hands-on training.”
• “Very appropriate and very educational.”