COURSE DESCRIPTION

Ultrasonography has become a crucially important diagnostic imaging modality in Equine Orthopaedics and most Equine Practitioners nowadays have access to the necessary equipment.  A growing number of equine orthopaedic specialists have furthermore extended the use of ultrasonography creatively to assist with injection techniques and to facilitate minimally invasive surgery.  This 2-day practical course has been developed to provide equine and mixed animal practitioners who have experience with ultrasonography, with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills of performing ultrasound-guided orthopaedic injections and ultrasound-assisted surgical techniques, covering all regions of the musculoskeletal apparatus of the horse.  Whole horses will be used to recreate a scenario as it might be encountered in live horses.  A review of conventional and biologic treatment modalities for orthopaedic conditions will round the course up.   

In the mornings the following topics will be covered in highly illustrated lectures and case presentations:  

• How to get the most out of your ultrasound machine  
• Principles of Ultrasound-Guidance 
• Ultrasound-Guided Tendon & Ligament Injections  
• Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injections of the Limbs (incl. hip & shoulder joints) 
• Ultrasound-Guided Bursal Injections 
• Cervical Facet Joint Injections 
• Ultrasound-Guided Back Injections 
• Lumbosacral & Sacroiliac Injection Techniques  
• Ultrasound-Guided Surgery 
• Conventional Systemic & Intra-Articular Joint Therapies  
• What’s the latest on Regenerative Therapies?  

Open and frank discussions are encouraged during the course and the speakers will share their personal experiences with attendees, be it successes or failures.  
 
Between both afternoons, 7 hours of practical sessions will give attendees plenty of opportunity to train the different injection techniques on equine specimens and VetPD Joint Injection Simulators and to get tips and tricks in small groups (2 – 4 attendees per ultrasound machine), under the supervision of the specialists.  Each attendee will rotate through the following practical stations: 

• Tendon & Ligament Injections   
• US-guided Upper Limb Joint Injections  
• US-guided Back Injections – Interspinous & Articular Facet Joint Injections 
• Cervical Facet Joint Injections  
• Lumbosacral & Sacroiliac Injection Techniques  
• US-guided Navicular Bursa Injections & Surgical Techniques  

The course fee includes lunches, coffee / tea breaks, a wine & cheese reception, extensive electronic course notes and a certificate of attendance. Attendees can choose to only attend the lectures (= Lectures Only) on this course or can register for the entire course (= Lectures & Practical Sessions).  Early course registration is recommended as there are only a limited number of places available due to the highly practical nature of this course. 

This course is suitable for RCVS Modules:     B-EP.3;  C-E.4;  C-E.5;  C-E.6;  C-E.7;  C-E.15;  C-E.17