2027 Joint Exam and Injections with an Introduction to Ultrasound Guidance: The First Step Course Description

Course Credits: Earn up to 14.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.

Course Price: $1,895

Joint Exam and Injections with an Introduction to Ultrasound Guidance: The First Step is a two-day course.

This intensive, evidence-based CME course provides a practical review of examination, aspiration, and injection techniques for musculoskeletal problems commonly encountered in primary care. Participants will review pertinent history and physical examination techniques, functional anatomy of the joints, common mechanisms of injury and associated pathology, and imaging techniques used in the evaluation of musculoskeletal conditions.

Following a review of the fundamentals of musculoskeletal assessment, faculty will demonstrate examination techniques and provide participants with extensive opportunities for supervised practice. The course also addresses the indications, benefits, risks, and techniques associated with joint aspiration and common palpation-guided musculoskeletal injections. Aspiration and injection techniques will be discussed, demonstrated, and practiced using appropriate joint and tissue models.

The role of ultrasound guidance in musculoskeletal injections will also be introduced. Participants will learn basic principles and potential clinical applications of ultrasound guidance, observe the setup and demonstration of common ultrasound-guided injections, and receive introductory hands-on experience with ultrasound equipment, including needle-guidance practice using tissue and synthetic training models. This introductory experience is designed to provide a foundation for clinicians interested in pursuing additional education and training in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

A significant portion of this two-day course is devoted to interactive workshops and hands-on learning. Participants will practice musculoskeletal examination techniques with faculty supervision and use joint models to review and practice common aspiration and injection techniques. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable attire that allows them to participate fully in the physical examination workshops.

The course also reviews CPT coding for aspiration and injection procedures and discusses practical considerations related to coding and reimbursement.

Palpation-Guided Injections (15)

  • Subacromial
  • Intra-articular shoulder
  • Acromioclavicular
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • De Quervain’s
  • Trigger finger
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Trochanteric bursa
  • Intra-articular knee
  • Iliotibial band
  • Pes anserine bursa
  • Plantar fascia
  • Morton’s neuroma
  • Intra-articular ankle

Physical Examination Special Tests (80)

  • Shoulder
  • Elbow/Wrist/Hand
  • Knee
  • Lumbar Spine/Hip
  • Leg/Ankle/Foot

Ultrasound-Guided Injection Applications Introduced (15)

  • Subacromial
  • Intra-articular shoulder
  • Acromioclavicular
  • Biceps tendon
  • Tennis elbow
  • De Quervain’s
  • Trigger finger
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Intra-articular hip
  • Trochanteric bursa
  • Intra-articular knee
  • Iliotibial band
  • Pes anserine bursa
  • Intra-articular ankle
  • Plantar fascia

Hands-on and Demonstrated Procedures

  • Basics of joint injections
  • Shoulder: anatomy, clinical assessment, common clinical problems, and examination
  • Elbow/Wrist/Hand: anatomy, clinical assessment, common clinical problems, and examination
  • Introduction to ultrasound-guided injections
  • Upper extremity injections with an introduction to ultrasound guidance
  • Shoulder and knee aspiration
  • Knee: anatomy, clinical assessment, common clinical problems, and examination
  • Lumbar Spine/Hip: anatomy, clinical assessment, common clinical problems, and examination
  • Leg/Ankle/Foot: anatomy, clinical assessment, common clinical problems, and examination
  • Lower extremity injections

By the end of this educational activity, learners should be better able to:

  • Discuss the anatomy and function of various joints.
  • Perform specific clinical tests to evaluate each joint using evidence-based medicine guidelines.
  • Describe common mechanisms of injury and associated pathology.
  • Describe imaging techniques used in the evaluation of musculoskeletal conditions.
  • Perform common palpation-guided joint aspirations and injections using joint models.
  • Describe the role and basic principles of ultrasound guidance in the performance of common musculoskeletal injections.
2027 Course Accreditation

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

Learn more about our accreditation.

7:30 – 8 a.m.

  • Registration and breakfast

Day One

8 – 9:30 a.m. — 1.5 CME Credits
Basics of MSK Examination and Ultrasound

  • Review terminology related to musculoskeletal assessment.
  • Outline the principles of an effective musculoskeletal assessment.
  • Identify important clinical points in the history of present illness and describe the process of the musculoskeletal examination.
  • Describe the basic principles for applying ultrasound guidance to musculoskeletal injections.

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Shoulder: Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, and Common Clinical Problems

  • Apply the core concepts of sports medicine to shoulder examination, including applied clinical anatomy, careful history and physical examination, and the role of rehabilitation exercises.
  • Diagnose and describe the management of common shoulder problems, including subacromial impingement and adhesive capsulitis.

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. — Break

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
WORKSHOP I: Shoulder Examination

  • Practice and demonstrate proper shoulder examination techniques and interpret physical examination findings.

11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Basics of Injections

  • Describe basic principles of joint injection techniques, including indications, anatomic landmarks, equipment selection, and aseptic technique.

12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 – 1:30 p.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
Elbow, Wrist, and Hand: Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, and Common Clinical Problems

  • Apply the core concepts of sports medicine to the elbow, wrist, and hand, including applied clinical anatomy, careful history, and physical examination.
  • Diagnose and describe the management of common elbow, wrist, and hand injuries.

1:30 – 2 p.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
WORKSHOP II: Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Examination

  • Practice and demonstrate proper elbow, wrist, and hand examination techniques and interpret physical examination findings.

2 – 2:45 p.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Introduction to Ultrasound-Guided Injections

  • Identify the indications, benefits, risks, and contraindications of injections in the family medicine office.
  • Describe general principles involved in administering injections, including consent, equipment, anesthesia, choice of corticosteroid, and injection technique.
  • Describe the basic principles and potential clinical applications of ultrasound guidance for common musculoskeletal injections.
  • Discuss coding for these procedures.

2:45 – 3 p.m. — Break

3 – 5 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
WORKSHOP III: Upper Extremity Injections with an Introduction to Ultrasound Guidance

  • Practice upper extremity joint injection techniques using training models.
  • Apply introductory principles of ultrasound guidance to common upper extremity musculoskeletal injections.

Day Two

8 – 8:30 a.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
WORKSHOP IV: Introduction to Shoulder and Knee Aspiration

  • Practice shoulder and knee aspiration techniques using synthetic and non-synthetic tissue models.

8:30 – 9:15 a.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Knee: Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, and Common Clinical Problems

  • Apply the core concepts of sports medicine to the knee, including applied clinical anatomy, careful history, physical examination, and the role of rehabilitation exercises.
  • Diagnose and describe the management of common traumatic and atraumatic knee injuries.

9:15 – 10 a.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
WORKSHOP V: Knee Examination

  • Practice and demonstrate proper knee examination techniques and interpret physical examination findings.

10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break

10:15 – 11 a.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Lumbar Spine and Hip: Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, and Common Clinical Problems

  • Describe the clinical anatomy of the lumbar spine and hip.
  • Discuss the epidemiology and natural history of low back and hip pain.
  • Outline an evidence-based approach to the clinical assessment of the lumbar spine and hip.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1 CME Credit
WORKSHOP VI: Lumbar Spine and Hip Examination

  • Practice and demonstrate proper lumbar spine and hip examination techniques and interpret physical examination findings.

12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 – 1:45 p.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
Leg, Ankle, and Foot: Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, and Common Clinical Problems

  • Apply the core concepts of sports medicine to the leg, ankle, and foot, including applied clinical anatomy, careful history, and physical examination.
  • Diagnose and describe the management of common leg, ankle, and foot injuries, including ankle sprain, Achilles tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, and Morton’s neuroma.

1:45 – 2:30 p.m. — 0.75 CME Credits
WORKSHOP VII: Leg, Ankle, and Foot Examination

  • Practice and demonstrate proper leg, ankle, and foot examination techniques and interpret physical examination findings.

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. — Break

2:45 – 4:30 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
WORKSHOP VIII: Lower Extremity Injections

  • Identify the indications, benefits, risks, and contraindications of lower extremity joint injections.
  • Apply general principles involved in administering lower extremity injections, including consent, equipment, anesthesia, choice of corticosteroid, and injection technique.
  • Discuss the basics of coding for these procedures.
  • Practice lower extremity joint injection techniques using appropriate training models.

TOTAL CME CREDITS: 14.50

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