Anatomic areas typically covered in this course include:

Shoulder – Hand – Wrist – Foot – Ankle – Knee

Other topics include:

Ultrasound of Common Cystic Masses in the Musculoskeletal System General application of diagnostic ultrasound in sports medicine. Ultrasound-guided Interventions in the Musculoskeletal System

• Identify the Normal anatomic location and function of the tendon, ligaments, muscle, nerves, and bursa.
• Describe the normal sonographic appearance of musculoskeletal structures, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and bursa.
• Differentiate a nerve from a tendon in real-time imaging.
• Name the nerves identifiable with sonography, lower limb, and upper limb.
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of sonographic artifacts in musculoskeletal imaging.
• Identify correction techniques for artifacts.
• Proper choice of transducer for sonographic evaluation of the musculoskeletal system.
• Describe the sonographic evaluation of the rotator cuff, carpal tunnel, Achilles tendon, knee, elbow, wrist, and abdominal wall and the pathologies related.
• Perform all scanning protocols.

WHAT IS MSK ULTRASOUND?

A musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a specialized exam that looks specifically at your muscles and joints. MSK ultrasound technologists have special training in looking at muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. A radiologist will interpret these images to determine if they are normal or not.

OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound assesses the tendons and ligaments that hold the muscles and bones in alignment. This exam also evaluates the joint spaces for fluid or inflammation that may limit joint movement. Besides the shoulder, other areas examined include:

• Achilles tendon
• Ankle joint
• Elbow joint and tendons
• Foot or toes
• Ganglion (hard bump above a tendon or in the capsule that encloses a joint)
• Hand or fingers
• Hip bursa (fluid-filled sac or saclike cavity)
• Knee joint and tendons
• Muscles or tendons (lumps)
• Plantar Fascia (sole of foot)
• Wrist/Carpal Tunnel

WHO CAN GET AN MSK ULTRASOUND?

Anyone can have an MSK ultrasound. These exams aren’t limited to athletes or young people; if you have pain or concern with your joints or muscles, an MSK ultrasound may be appropriate.

WHY GET AN MSK ULTRASOUND?

An MSK ultrasound may help determine the source of your muscle or joint symptoms. For example, if you lump that you are concerned about, we will examine if it’s fluid-filled or solid, where it’s located, and if it’s attached to anything. Each answer can lead to the appropriate treatment, or to further investigation.

If an injury to your tendon or muscle is suspected, we can see if it’s intact or torn. Ultrasound can help determine the extent of the injury, sometimes clarify if surgery is indicated, and assess how well these injuries are healing.

Some common diagnoses that may be evaluated by an MSK ultrasound include:

• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Rotator cuff tears
• Sprained ankle

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

• You can expect to be at the clinic between 30-60 minutes, depending on your procedure(s) and barring any unforeseen delays.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
• Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition.
• Take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Please do not bring children who require supervision.
• Some MSK exams require an X-ray of the area of concern before the ultrasound. This allows the radiologist to correlate the soft tissue findings of the ultrasound with the bones of the joint being examined.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

• You may be asked to change into a gown for certain exams.
• Your technologist (sonographer) will ask you to lower or arrange your clothing so that the area of concern is exposed to apply gel and scan the area.
• A warm, non-scented, hypo-allergenic ultrasound gel will be applied to the area being scanned.
• The sonographer will move the transducer (probe) around the area in question to obtain images of the area of concern.
• You may be asked to lie on your side, sit, or stand to get a complete set of images from different angles.
• You may experience mild to moderate pressure while the sonographer takes the images.
• The radiologist will review the images.
• The radiologist may come into the scan room after your exam to speak to you about your results. You will then be free to leave.