Course Description:

Musculoskeletal sonography (MSK) is steadily gaining popularity in the practice of musculoskeletal medicine. Musculoskeletal sonographic imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints throughout the body. It is used to diagnose sprains, strains, tears, and other soft tissue conditions. It is considered safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation. In musculoskeletal physical therapy practice, the literature documenting the effectiveness of MSKUS is promising, especially with the diagnosis of soft tissue pathologies. As physical therapists become more comfortable and familiar with this technology, we will continue to see its use expand for various MSK assessments. In this course we will explore how ultrasound can be used in physical therapy (PT), specifically for musculoskeletal assessment of the upper extremity. We’ll also look at some of the potential benefits and limitations of using ultrasound in PT practice, the training required for point of care application and information on billing and documentation.