Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- One expert tutor to three to six delegates - plenty of time to practice under close supervision
- One machine to three delegates - only state of the art, high specification machines are used on the course
- Exclusive access to our online resources and content from our expert tutors
- Opportunity to progress to the Mentorship Programme to gain competency in MSK Ultrasound
- Comprehensive presentations
This 2-day course is designed for practitioners with experience in MSK Ultrasound that want to challenge and develop their skills further. This course will take your probe skills and knowledge to the next level. The course is taught by dual trained physiotherapists/MSK sonographers and sports medicine consultants with over 40 years scanning experience between them. There is a strong clinical focus throughout and particular attention is made to when, and how, imaging findings change clinical management. Many case examples are presented and discussion is encouraged to share ideas and experiences. Our courses are attended by a range of clinicians, providing an excellent forum to network and learn from each other.
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.
What are the prerequisites for the Mentorship Programme?
Participants to have attended an introduction to MSK ultrasound imaging course (not necessarily our course) and have good anatomical knowledge (especially cross-sectional) and access to an ultrasound scanner in their clinical setting.
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 an administrative charge of 4% of the course fee
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.
Does your organisation or workplace need training?
If you require training we can come to you or you can come to us! There is a minimum fee of £1,000 per day (plus travel expenses). To enquire about your specific training needs please email info@ultrasoundtraining.co.uk or use the contact form.
Organisations we have worked with:
Become a SMUG Partner
The ‘SMUG partnership’ programme looks to associate with individuals, groups of clinician’s, hospitals, organisations and clinics all over the world to deliver our courses and raise the standards in MSK ultrasound. We will send out members of our SMUG teaching faculty to deliver the course. We now have SMUG partners in many countries and run courses on an annual basis in their vicinity. We are always looking to develop new partnership links.
Anonymous
Surgeon ML
Very professional, best course I have ever been on!
Anonymous
Doctor. SQ
Good ratio of scan time:talks, lots of hands-on.
Anonymous
Physio. SB
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
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!