elbow and achilles pathologies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHere, we are going to tackle a few more challenging structures, but you only have to evaluate them to the point of answering your clinical question. You don\u2019t have to master all the structures of the knee or the shoulder to get an idea of the state of the cartilage\/osteoarthritis or to identify a large supraspinatus tear. Once these scans are mastered, and with some experience under your belt, then you can then start learning more structures and pathologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginnier MSK POCUS Scans (Part 2)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n These scans include which pathologies to check for and optional structures. In this article we are checking 2 relatively complex structures, plus just a quick look at the plantar fascia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the complex structures, we are simplifying our scan to ask simple questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the shoulder, is there a large or complete rotator cuff tear we should refer for surgical consult. We would also see fluid in the bursa which we could aspirate greatly improving the patients pain and range of motion (ROM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the knee we are checking for joint effusion and osteoarthritis. Large fluid collections, the state of the cartilage, and whether there are osteophytes basically is superior to the typical radiograph referral for osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the plantar fascia, we can use a simple cut-off thickness to diagnose a pathology at the most common location of pathology, right at the medial tubercle of the calcaneus. If the plantar fascia is thickened, and\/or if it is abnormally hypoechoic, there is plantar fasciitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember you can always use split screen to compare sides and as you improve your skills and experience you can add structures and answer more clinical questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the sample scans below I am again using the Suresult D3Ultra<\/a> which is totally adequate to answer our main clinical questions and just a fraction of the cost of a laptop or cart based unit. Make sure the focus points are close to your point of interest. Turn up gain for a brighter image. Turn off compound imaging to get a better frame rate or turn it on for better looking pictures. Similarly, higher frequency will give higher resolution but lower frequency increases penetration, particularly important for the plantar fascia. Experiment with settings and practice, practice, practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Anterior Shoulder (Supraspinatus Tendinopathy, Impingement Syndrome, etc\u2026)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n