Ultrasound Guided Interventional Pain Management Procedures

Objectives for Ultrasound Guided Pain Management Injection Training

Upon the successful completion of the Ultrasound Guided Interventional Pain Injection Course attendees should be able to perform the following:

• Observe and perform correct imaging (ultrasound) techniques for performing joint injections in the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, sacroiliac joint and various small joint using ultrasound.
• Observe and perform correct imaging (ultrasound) techniques for performing soft tissue injections for upper and lower extremities including pharmacologics used for the procedures to treat various tendinopathies and other soft tissue pathologies.
• Understand the basics of ultrasound technologies including physics, optimizing image quality, choosing the right transducer, transducer movements and scanning approaches (i.e. Out of Plan, In Plane).
• Learn the advantages and limitations for the indicated uses of ultrasound in interventional pain management injections. Understand irregular pain pathologies and possible technologies available with ultrasound devices.
• Understand and visualize anatomical landmarks for transducer placements and injections using the various approaches necessary for soft tissue and joints.
• Learn the various pain pathologies, how to use ultrasound to help confirm diagnosis, and which medications should be used for these MSK injections including the use of contrast.
• Understand alternative uses for the musculoskeletal transducers for other types of diagnostic procedures or therapeutic injections (i.e. Stem Cells, UCB, Exosomes, and PRP) within a clinical environment.
• Receive Billing and Coding (ICD-10/CPT Codes), RVU values, General Billing Guidelines, and Administrative Forms to integrate these new procedures within your medical practice.

DAY 1 - 8:30am–9:00am

Registration

9:00am–9:45am

Speaker Introduction, Overview of indications for use and limitations of ultrasound. Advantages and Disadvantages of performing US Guided Interventional Pain Management Injections as compared to palpation method of delivery. Review newer technologies available, cost considerations, accessibility (portability), and extended functionality of ultrasound devices.

9:45am-10:30am

Various treatment options and ultrasound techniques for imaging in relation to soft tissue injections, muscles, and tendons for medium and large bursa injections. Variables to scanning techniques including functionality for gain, focus, and compound imaging, optimizing image quality with color Doppler and color power Doppler (CPD), and choosing the correct linear array transducer for depth of injection and anatomy. Other new technologies available such as contralateral comparison, higher frequency transducers, tissue harmonics, and 3-D Imaging options.

10:30am–10:45am

Break

10:45am–12:00pm

Transducer basics, safety, the (3) transducer movements, “In Plane” approach, “Out of Plane” (OOP) approach, and the possible use of echogenic needles and ultrasound contrast materials to aid injections. Protocols for transducer placement for imaging of skeletal muscular injections and advanced “pearls” of injection including compression techniques for composition of underlying tissues and defects for irregular pain pathologies. Questions and Answers for attendees concerning the morning session.

12:00pm–1:00pm

Lunch (on your own).

1:00pm–3:00pm

Review of soft tissue injections for ultrasound, protocols, scanning considerations, and medications utilized for these injections (i.e. corticosteroids, biologics such as PRP, and proliferant therapies (prolotherapy) indications and treatments for soft tissues. Review absolute and relative contraindications for medications. Procedures for joint injections under image guidance (ultrasound) for the most common large and small bursa areas including hip, arm/elbow, carpal tunnel, shoulder, foot and ankle, and knee. Review of equipment selection for large as well as small/medium size bursa structures, transducer positions, images of the various structures, and “pearls” associated with these injections. Pre and post-treatment guidelines, increased efficacy of exact needle placement, and review of billing and coding including review of intake forms, global period for injections, and CPT codes.

3:00pm—3:15pm

Break

3:15pm–5:00pm

Hands-On Training utilizing ultrasound devices and technologies for scanning of various anatomical locations to develop proficiency in imaging and transducer placement for the placement of injections. For attendees not familiar with the interventional pain management injections, anatomical models are provided for palpation method of injection including needle placement and approach for trigger points and joint injections to gain additional experience in these injections.

DISCLAIMER: The following is a summary of the course agenda. The full course agenda will be emailed to you a few days prior to the course. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact our office.