⸺ MSK Spine Ultrasound
MSK Spine Ultrasound Training Course
A two-day, hands-on course teaching ultrasound-guided facet joint and SI joint injections of the spine; as accurate as fluoroscopy, without the bulk or cost.
R3 MEDICAL TRAINING SPINE MSK ULTRASOUND COURSE
Ultrasound guidance is used for lumbar spine procedures, medial branch blocks and SI joint injections, and studies have compared it with fluoroscopy.
This course teaches ultrasound-guided lumbar and SI joint spinal musculoskeletal procedures.
Fluoroscopic guidance is both expensive and bulky, while ultrasound is portable and inexpensive.
⸺ LOCATIONS & SCHEDULES
Find your date
Browse upcoming sessions by month — each one runs the full two-day curriculum below.
⸺ COURSE FORMAT
Two days, cervical through lumbar
This two-day course is designed for healthcare providers wanting a basic understanding of ultrasound guided injection techniques for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
The course consists of didactic sessions on anatomy, diagnostic ultrasound evaluation, pathology diagnosis and interventional techniques on real patients using NeedleTrainer under the direct supervision of R3’s expert faculty.
OVERVIEW
What the two-day course covers?
This two-day, 16-hour CME accredited course is designed for healthcare providers wanting a basic understanding of ultrasound guided injection techniques for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, along with SI joints.
In addition, the course will present considerable information on PRP and regenerative biologics so you’ll be up to date as regenerative medicine continues to explode in popularity.
The first day consists of didactic sessions on anatomy, diagnostic ultrasound evaluation, pathology diagnosis, and interventional techniques on real patients using NeedleTrainer simulation technology under direct supervision of R3’s expert faculty. Not only are real patients present, but R3 uses the latest NeedleTrainer computerized simulation technology to help attendees feel comfortable with accurate repetition.
Day 2 consists of presentations on the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints, with hands-on experience again with real patients under the supervision of R3’s expert faculty. And once again, repetition cements the skillset with usage of the revolutionary NeedleTrainer computerized simulation technology as well. No other MSK Spine Ultrasound Course offers such an in-depth, hands-on experiential learning environment.
⸺ MINUTE BY MINUTE
Spine MSK Ultrasound Course Agenda
The full two-day breakdown, session by session.
DAY 1
- 7:00AM – 8:00AM
Registration and Breakfast
- 8:00AM – 9.00AM = 1.0 CME
Introduction to MSK Ultrasound in General
The course begins with a presentation on the basics of ultrasound, including how it works, transducer options, and proper settings and how to change them.
- 9:00AM – 10:00AM = 1.0 CME
Introduction to Spinal Ultrasound
Optimal transducer selection, patient positioning, imaging approaches, and techniques for sonographically evaluating the spine are discussed.
- 10:00AM – 12:30PM = 2.5 CME
Cervical Spine
- Cervical Spine Anatomy
- Ultrasound transducer selection, machine settings, patient positioning.
- Ultrasound Diagnostic Evaluation, Tips and Pitfalls.
- Ultrasound Guided Cervical Facet Injection
- Ultrasound Guided Cervical Medial Branch Block
- 12:30PM - 01:00PM
Lunch
- 01:00PM – 02:00PM = 1.0 CME
Basics of PRP Therapy for the Spine
- 02:00PM - 03:30PM = 1.5 CME
Introduction to Regenerative Biologics Part1
- 03:30PM - 05:30PM = 2.0 CME
Thoracic Spine
- Thoracic Spine Anatomy
- Ultrasound transducer selection, machine settings, patient positioning.
- Ultrasound Diagnostic Evaluation, Tips and Pitfalls.
- Ultrasound Guided Thoracic Facet Injection
- Ultrasound Guided Thoracic Medial Branch Block
Total for Day 1 = 8 CME
DAY 2
- 7:00AM – 8:00AM
Breakfast and Networking
- 08:00AM – 12:00PM = 4.0 CME
Lumbar Spine
- Lumbar Spine Anatomy
- Ultrasound transducer selection, machine settings, patient positioning.
- Ultrasound Diagnostic Evaluation, Tips and Pitfalls.
- Ultrasound Guided Lumbar Facet Injection
- Ultrasound Guided Lumbar Medial Branch Block
- 12:00PM – 02:00PM = 2.0 CME
Lunch and Introduction to Regenerative Biologics Part 2
- 02:00PM–04:30PM = 2.5 CME
Sacroiliac Joints
- Sacroiliac Joint Anatomy
- Ultrasound transducer selection, machine settings, patient positioning.
- Ultrasound Diagnostic Evaluation, Tips and Pitfalls.
- Ultrasound Guided SI Joint Injection
Total for Day 2 = 8 CME
Overall Total = 16 CME hours
⸺ HAVE A QUESTION?
Talk to our team before you register
Reach out about course content, locations, or group bookings — we’re happy to help you pick the right track.
Hands-On Cases
The R3 Spine Ultrasound Course gives you the opportunity to scan real patients in a hands-on setting. The interventional techniques presented during the course will be practiced under the direct supervision of the instructors in order to enable participants to become proficient with these skills.
Who is the course intended for?
- All licensed healthcare providers who desire learning about spine ultrasound and US-guided injections. The injections need to be within scope of practice.
- MD, DO, NP, PA, ND's are welcome to attend.
- Other healthcare providers are welcome, but will not be eligible to perform injections (e.g. RN's and Ultrasound Techs).
⸺ CITED RESEARCH
References
- Dr. Dipasri Bhattacharya, Ultrasound vs Fluoroscopy in Pain Intervention, Journal on Recent Advances in Pain, January–April 2017;3(1):46–49
- Comparison of Fluoroscopy and Ultrasound Guidance for Sacroiliac Joint Injection in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain, Soneji et al, Pain Pract. 2016 Jun;16(5):537-44
- Comparison of the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus fluoroscopy-guided medial lumbar bundle branch block on pain related to lumbar facet joints: a multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority study, Nisolle et al, BMC Anesthesiol. 2023; 23: 76
⸺ SEE IT IN ACTION
Training Videos
A closer look at the techniques and patient procedures covered in this course.
⸺ MEET YOUR TRAINERS
Learn from practicing experts
Ruben Alexander MD
Dr. Alexander teaches systemic procedures, ultrasound and MSK procedures.
Dr. Tal Cohen DAOM, MS-FMHN
Dr. Cohen founded A New Way Clinic, a functional medicine practice in Portland. He teaches how supplements can fit alongside procedures.
David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA
David Greene, MD, MBA founded R3 Medical Training to help providers learn needed skill sets in an immersive setting. Dr. Greene actively participates in a lot of the training courses. He regularly presents on marketing for online patient acquisition, including sales training too!
Dr. Geneva Worthington
Dr. Worthington provides training for facial rejuvenation procedures and sexual health procedures, along with PDO Thread Lift Certification.
Lucia Mirales Chavez, MD
Dr. Lucia Mirales Chavez is an MD who teaches Regenerative Aesthetics, including Hair Restoration, Sexual Health and PDO Thread Lift procedures. She is from Fresno CA.
Patrick Astourian
Patrick has given hands on MSK training to multiple doctors in pain management, PM&R, rheumatology, sports medicine and orthopaedics.
Lydia Dana
Lydia is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer who works in MSK Ultrasound.
Richard Kates
Richard Kates is a Registered MSK Sonographer who practices diagnostic MSK ultrasound every day at multiple clinics throughout Arizona.
Nancy Gaines
Dr. Nancy Gaines-Dillard, DNP-BC, Board Certified Family Medicine Healthcare Practitioner with over 26 years of varied experience in Family, Emergency, and Acute Care Medicine at teaching hospitals, Level I Trauma Centers and Tertiary facilities.
⸺ IN THEIR WORDS
Testimonials
⸺ FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-day, hands-on course in ultrasound-guided spine injections. Day 1 covers the cervical and thoracic spine, and Day 2 covers the lumbar spine and sacroiliac (SI) joint. Topics include facet joint injections and medial branch blocks.
The course is for licensed healthcare providers who want to learn ultrasound-guided spine injections. MDs, DOs, NPs and PAs are welcome to attend. Other healthcare providers, such as RNs and ultrasound technologists, are also welcome, but they are not eligible to perform injections.
Published studies have compared ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance for lumbar facet and SI joint injections, and you can find the references below. Results vary by study and procedure. The course reviews this research and explains the strengths and limits of each method.
Yes. The course is 16 CME hours over two days, with 8 hours on Day 1. It is accredited through CME Hub. The agenda shows the credit hours for each session.
Yes. Participants scan real patients and perform guided injections under the direct supervision of R3 faculty. The course also uses NeedleTrainer simulation technology.
The course is designed for providers who want a basic understanding of ultrasound-guided spine injections, and the first sessions cover ultrasound basics such as transducer selection and patient positioning. Call (888) 998-6343 if you have questions about your experience level.
Yes. The agenda includes introductory sessions on PRP therapy for the spine and on regenerative biologics. These are introductions rather than full courses.
The course runs in Scottsdale, AZ and Nashville, TN. Current dates and prices are in the schedule above, or you can call (888) 998-6343.
No. This is educational training. You receive a certificate of completion and CME credit, but it does not grant licensure or authorization to practice. What you may do in practice is set by your license and state law.
Cancellation and refund terms are listed in our Terms & Conditions. For questions about your registration, call (888) 998-6343.