A Guide to Ultrasound of the Shoulder, Part 2: The Diagnostic Evaluation
Ultrasound is becoming an increasingly accessible modality for its easy and accurate evaluation of shoulder pathology. In Part 1 of our series (Am J Orthop. 2016;45(3):176-182), we showed how musculoskeletal ultrasound can be properly coded and reimbursed and can be as effective in evaluating the shoulder as magnetic resonance imaging, yet more economical. With more physicians beginning to incorporate this technology into their practice, we describe the physics of ultrasound and our methods for evaluating the shoulder with ultrasound. In the coming year, new certifications are emerging that may be required to perform and bill for these services. Staying abreast with the current guidelines and protocols being introduced by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be essential.
Conclusion
MSK ultrasound is a dynamic, real-time imaging modality that can improve cost efficiency and patient care. Its portability allows for its use anywhere. Learning the skill may seem daunting, but with the proper courses and education, the technology can be easily learned. By correlating a known modality like MRI, the user will easily begin to read ultrasound images. No current certification is needed to use or bill for ultrasound, but various institutions are developing criteria and testing. Two organizations, AIUM and ARDMS, provide guidelines and certifications to demonstrate competency, which may become necessary in the very near future.
