Over the two days, we cover most parts of the body, with a particular focus on scanning challenging structures such as the distal biceps, rotator cuff interval and cable in the upper limb, as well as the proximal hamstring, lateral hip and most common muscles and peripheral nerves in the lower limb. Delegates are sent pre-course material to review to help prepare for the course and maximise their learning experience.
Short presentations provide an overview of ultrasound in acute and chronic sports injuries, the relationship with other imaging and the clinical management implications. The majority of the course takes place in small tutorial groups with constant feedback from one of our expert tutors. Numbers on the course are kept low to ensure delegates are closely supervised and are challenged to develop their skills. Our experience shows that teaching in this format is the best way to ensure that delegates can directly translate what they have learnt and apply these skills and techniques in their own clinical setting. Tutorial groups are adjusted to the level of experience, skills and clinical interests of the delegates. At the end of the course, feedback is given on progress, skill level and areas for further development.
The future of ultrasound imaging will be discussed with reference to technical advances such as the development of high resolution multifrequency linear transducers, 3-dimensional imaging, MRI/US fusion and elastography.
Who should attend?
This programme attracts MSK Radiologists, GPs with special interest in MSK/Sports Medicine, Surgeons, Sports Medicine Consultants, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Podiatrists, Sonographers and Osteopaths.
Course pre-requisites
Must be a health care professional with significant clinical experience
Must have at least one year experience of MSK scanning
If practicing in the UK, must be registered with the relevant UK professional body e.g. GMC, HCPC, SOR etc.
Tutors:
- Chris Myers - Extended Scope Physiotherapist, Osteopath and MSK Sonographer
- Robert Laus - Clinical Director, Specialist Physiotherapist and MSK Sonographer
- Dr Lorenzo Masci - Consultant Sports Medicine Doctor and MSK Sonographer
Day 1 - Lower Limb
| Time |
Summary |
Details |
| 09:00 - 09:15 |
Registration/Coffee |
|
| 09:30 - 11:30 |
Hip |
|
|
Detailed Anatomy Review |
Anterior and lateral structures:
Anterior Thigh: Quadriceps
Posterior Thigh: Hamstrings, adductors
Nerves: Sciatic, femoral, lateral cutaneous |
|
Practical |
|
|
Presentation |
Case Studies
Muscle Injury Classification
Relational functional-structural changes. Practical implications |
| 11:30 - 11:45 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 11:45 - 13:30 |
Knee |
|
|
Detailed Anatomy Review |
Postero-medial, postero-lateral
Calf muscle complex, including Plantaris
Nerves: Tibial and peroneal nerve |
|
Practical |
|
|
Presentation |
Case Studies
When to use ultrasound imaging in knee injuries
Grading tendon injury. Other imaging
Function- structural changes. What to do and when |
| 12:45 - 13:30 |
Lunch |
|
| 13:30 - 15:30 |
Ankle and Foot |
Posteromedial ankle
Tibio talar and subtalar joints
Lateral ankle
Forefoot
Nerves: Tibial, sural |
| 15:30 - 15:45 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 15:45 - 16:30 |
Review/Consolidate |
Practical review by request/popular demand |
| 16:30 - 16:50 |
Going forwards |
Recognise spectrum of trauma and healing, clinical and rehabilitation/exercise implications |
Day 2 - Upper Limb
| Time |
Summary |
Details |
| 09:15 - 09:30 |
Registration/Coffee |
|
| 09:30 - 11:30 |
Shoulder |
|
|
Detailed Anatomy Review |
Rotator cuff, rotator cable, rotator cuff interval
A-c joint and coraco-acromial ligament. Impingement tests
Nerves: Suprascapular |
|
Practical |
|
|
Presentation |
Case Studies
Clinical examples: sports injuries, post surgical evaluation
Relation functional-structural changes. Practical implications
Integrate imaging with clinical assessment |
| 11:30 - 11:45 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 11:45 - 13:30 |
Elbow |
Lateral, medial and posterior joint
Tendon, ligaments
Nerves: from proximal to the elbow to the wrist:Ulnar, radial, posterior interosseus, median |
|
Practical |
|
|
Presentation |
Case Studies
Sport related injuries, diagnosis and treatment implications |
| 13:30 - 14:15 |
Lunch |
|
| 14:15 - 15:30 |
Wrist and Hand |
Extensor compartment, carpal tunnel, wrist joints, finger muscles and tendons
Nerves: Ulnar, median, radial |
|
Practical |
|
|
Presentation |
Case studies
Sport related injuries |
| 15:30 - 15:45 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 15:15 - 16:30 |
Review/Consolidate |
The challenging shoulder
Clinical and imaging correlation |
| 16:30 - 16:50 |
Going forwards |
Recognise spectrum of trauma and healing
Ultrasound guided procedures |
Are SMUG courses endorsed by The College of Radiographers?
Endorsment for our Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging in Sports Medicine course is currently being processed.
How does the SMUG introduction course differ from other courses?
It is an intensive, highly practical, hands-on and highly interactive course with a high tutor participant ratio of at least 1:6. It is designed for sports medicine practitioners and provides a good grounding in tissue recognition and scanning skills as well as giving participants a clear idea of the skill level required and the time it takes to be competent and confident.
Do I get a qualification/certificate at the end of the Introduction course?
You will receive a certificate for the allocated CPD hours for the course, not a certificate of competence.
How do I continue to develop my skills after the Introduction course?
For MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound the only accredited pathways are via the Royal College of Radiologists and a PG Cert in MSK Sonography (such as at Canterbury University); it takes approximately 18 months and you have to do a clinic with a radiologist/sonographer once a week.
I only want to know how to scan a particular area (shoulder, muscle, ankle). Is the introduction course for me?
Yes, any scanning requires the skill to optimise the image using the machine settings and the correct manual skill to assess the tissues of interest as well as the knowledge of how to avoid pitfalls.
I am already injecting and only want to know how to do it under guidance. Is the introduction course necessary?
Yes, to identify the correct target area you need the manual skill to visualise the needle and the procedure correctly as well as to follow up after injections.
My company is looking at purchasing a machine. Any suggestions or things to look for?
Many portable machines are very good quality. Look for multi-frequency probes (5-12 MHz or higher), sensitive Power and colour Doppler and most important of course good, clear images. GE, Siemens, SonoSite, Mindray to mention a few manufacturers. Ask the representative to demonstrate a model in your clinic and compare!
Will I be able to scan my patients after the introduction course?
The course gives you the practical skills, but it takes a lot more training to get familiar with the spectrum of normal anatomy appearance, trauma, pathology and clinical interpretation, before ultrasound can be combined with your clinical examination. Practise your skills on patients with their consent, do not use it immediately as a clinical skill.
What is your cancellation policy?
Less than 28 days notice = No refund
29 to 56 days notice = 50% refund
Over 57 days notice = Full refund, less a £25.00 admin charge
What are the prerequisites for the Introduction course?
Participants should have good anatomical knowledge (especially cross-sectional) and clinical experience.
What are the prerequisites for the Advanced course?
Participants have ideally attended an introductory (Level 1) course, are expected to have regular access to an ultrasound scanner, are using ultrasound scanning as part of their daily practice, have completed at least 10 documented scans and are competent at identifying the normal appearance of most commonly assessed structures in MSK ultrasound.
Do SMUG run courses specific to emergency medicine to identify DVT etc?
No, our courses are purely sports medicine orientated and as such do not cover DVT screening or application in an A&E department.
Can I pay by instalments?
Yes. Please email Francesca at info@ultrasoundtraining.co.uk. Please note that to guarantee your place, the final instalment must be received 28 days prior to the start of the course.
Anonymous
Surgeon ML
Very professional, best course I have ever been on!
Anonymous
Physio. SB
Practical assessment linked with clinical application, look forward to the injection course later this year
MF
Specialist Physiotherapist
I have been scanning for almost 10 years and this was exactly what I needed to progress my skills to more challenging structures. Great set up, teaching and course content.
Paul Thorley
Physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer UCL
Lots of time to practice, very close supervision excellent scanning tips for each area.
ML
Surgeon
Very professional, best course I have ever been on!
SQ
Doctor
Good ratio of scan time:talks, lots of hands-on.
SB
Physio
Practical assessment linked with clinical application, look forward to the injection course later this year
Anonymous
Doctor
Practical elements and opportunity to interact, very good, will recommend to others
KV
Specialist Physiotherapist, Norway
Great course, great tutors and great atmosphere!