The Impact of Education

Sonography has made substantial technological improvements over the years, removing many of the barriers to its application in evaluation of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system. Sonography offers the advantages of a dynamic, real-time evaluation that routinely incorporates patient movement, evaluation of MSK structures in symptomatic positions with real-time feedback from patients, and a patient-friendly, noninvasive imaging modality. However, educational standards and efficacy of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) have demonstrated as much variance as published reports of MSUS accuracy and interobserver agreement. This review focuses on the available literature on MSUS utilization and training and the need for development of international standards and protocols that will serve to improve clinical application and interpretation as well as the quality of research, improving reliability and reproducibility of data.