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One-of-a-Kind Program Teaches Pediatric Fundamentals in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

One-of-a-Kind Program Teaches Pediatric Fundamentals in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

by | Jun 19, 2023 | Research & Innovation

The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US) is becoming increasingly popular and a point of emphasis in trainee education; however, most training programs focus on conditions in adults. Scottish Rite for Children experts have developed an introductory program to help new users learn about the unique skills and applications in the pediatric setting.

After a successful inaugural course in 2022, Scottish Rite hosted a second MSK US program. The feedback continues to show that we have a unique conference, and we plan to continue offering the program regularly.

This interactive, hands-on program features faculty from a variety of pediatric subspecialities including radiology, rheumatology and sports medicine. Attendees traveled to Frisco, Texas from across the country and internationally with a variety of clinical certifications including physical therapists, sonographers, nurse practitioners, physicians as well as radiology administrators.

Staff were encouraged to hear that all attendees indicated they were “very likely” or “definitely” going to recommend this course to others. Asked about the best part of the program, attendees’ responses are indicative of what future participants should expect:

  • All the hands-on activities intermixed with patient lecture beforehand; the teachers were incredibly kind.
  • Having pediatric patients!! Variety of faculty. Loved having MDS, RMSK, US Sonographer and radiologists. Truly a fantastic course.
  • Short lectures alternating with hands-on
  • Hands-on practice in SMALL groups with EXPERIENCED mentors.
  • It was so helpful having pediatric models – I really learned a lot from the hands-on sessions!
  • Multi-modal approach to learning
  • The dual hands-on and lecture content kept my mind and body awake and elevated the overall learning experience!

Jacob C. Jones, M.D., RMSK, says, “The program is intended to offer an introduction to ultrasound basics including settings, scanning and injection techniques focused on skeletally immature patients.” Throughout the day, more than 20 children and teens ranging from 5 to 19 shared their time with our learners.

After a lecture introducing scanning for rheumatologic conditions, participants observed and practiced scanning patients with active joint inflammation. Nurse practitioner Heather Benham, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC, RhMSUS explains, “We are grateful for these patients and the other children volunteers who make this course so special. It is very difficult to teach these principles when scanning healthy joints.”

During one scanning session, Scottish Rite sonographer Kelly Sherrard, RDMS, demonstrated the techniques of evaluating newborns for developmental dysplasia of the hips. Three-month-old twins served as our models for this exciting addition to the program. The expertise required for this population makes it difficult to include this training in the program, but attendees expressed their appreciation for the demonstration and the complexity of the skill.

Join the email list so you can gain early access to registration for future courses. Our next program is being planned for November 2023.

Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound at Scottish Rite for Children

Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound at Scottish Rite for Children

by | Mar 24, 2023 | General News

Pediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a safe, effective, and painless approach to observing bones, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues in and around joints. At Scottish Rite for Children, ultrasound has been used for many years by our radiologists and ultrasound technologists when diagnosing infantile hip dysplasia and other conditions; however, the possibilities and indications to use ultrasound for other musculoskeletal conditions are increasing. This includes using it with young athletes to better visualize the structure and function of these different tissues.

Many soft tissue conditions and concerns on the surfaces of bones can be diagnosed with ultrasound. Because children have immature bones with areas of soft cartilage, they have unique conditions around the bones and joints that can also be evaluated with ultrasound. Additionally, providing treatments with needles, such as joint aspirations and injections, can be enhanced when ultrasound is available.

In two specific areas of our organization, ultrasound is used by providers at the bedside during an evaluation or procedure. This is called point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and is a way to combine the clinical history and exam with the findings of the ultrasound. For a provider to use this tool, extensive training and many hours of experience are necessary. Pediatric rheumatology nurse practitioner Heather Benham, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC, and sports medicine physician Jacob C. Jones, M.D., RMSK, have met and exceeded those qualifications.

With their extensive experience, they are also equipped to teach others how to use this tool with a younger population. Many programs available are focused on the assessment of soft tissues in a population that is older. Benham and Jones worked together to create the Scottish Rite for Children Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Fundamentals Course (PMSKUS). Along with course co-director Vivek Kalia, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., they hosted the inaugural event in November 2022. The next opportunity to take this one-day course will be in May 2023 at the Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center in Frisco.

Learn more.

Inaugural Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Conference Was a Success!

Inaugural Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Conference Was a Success!

by | Nov 28, 2022 | Research & Innovation

The results are in, and the Pediatric Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (PMSKUS) Fundamentals Course met and exceeded expectations on several fronts. We’re getting busy planning the next opportunity to participate in the spring of 2023. Join the wait list today.
We hosted 28 attendees from across the country, including two former Scottish Rite for Children fellows (orthopedics and rheumatology). Participants left telling us they were likely or very likely to recommend this conference to colleagues. Attendees represented a wide variety of professions and specialties including physicians in family medicine, sports medicine, rheumatology and radiology as well as an athletic trainer, physical therapist and sonographer.

“Scottish Rite is not only defining but also introducing the use of MSK US in this population to providers across the country. This conference was exceptional from the planning to the delivery, to having live pediatric models. There are no other ultrasound conferences focused on pediatrics.”

—    Guest Faculty – Jon A. Jacobson, M.D.

The guest faculty Jon A. Jacobson, M.D., is a board-certified diagnostic MSK radiologist at Lenox Hill Radiology in New York City, New York. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science at Wayne State University and his medical degree (MD) at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed a diagnostic radiology residency at Henry Ford Hospital and a MSK radiology fellowship at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He has served as section chief of Musculoskeletal Radiology at the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati.

Unlike any other program offered today, this pediatric-focused program offered didactic lectures alternating with hands-on sessions. In the scanning sessions, pediatric models, ranging from ages 5 to 15, gave attendees the opportunity to practice scanning normal anatomy as well as several patients with active juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The procedural scanning session employed tofu, olives and ham to offer practice for performing ultrasound-guided injections.

We Asked Attendees: What do you consider to be the best part of the program?

“The program is very organized, the hands-on sessions being throughout the day is a great idea.”

“Ample hands-on practice with different faculty, pediatric US models with specific pathology findings.”

“Good flow between lecture and hands-on, good amount of time spent in each. Kept basic but flexible to the level of the learner.”

“Hands-on experience with awesome mentors. Love the combo of lecture to US to lecture to US to break up the day.”

“Thank you! Stellar Faculty!”

“Hands-on focused course with small groups was great.”

“Hands-on seeing actual pathology and practicing hands-on injections.”

Image at Top: Course directors (in bold) and faculty of the inaugural PMSKUS conference at Scottish Rite for Children’s Frisco, Texas, campus. From L to R: Vivek Kalia, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., Jon A. Jacobson, M.D., Yassine Kanaan, M.D, Matthew Hammer, M.D., Heather Benham, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC, Jacob C. Jones, M.D., RMSK, Joseph Chang, M.D., Mark Bowens, RDMS, Kelley Sherrard, RDMS