Learn MSK Sono

Learn MSK Sono Your resource for training in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Don’t Miss the Fluid Hiding in the Recesses 🦵💧Most missed knee effusions aren’t absent… they’re just not where you looke...
04/14/2026

Don’t Miss the Fluid Hiding in the Recesses 🦵💧

Most missed knee effusions aren’t absent… they’re just not where you looked.

Fluid moves freely throughout the joint — so if you’re only checking the suprapatellar recess, you’re leaving blind spots.

🎥 Watch the full reel here:
👉 [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXHFv5ngHEI/?igsh=OHpuOHJyOWxna2M=]



🔍 What we’re covering in this video:
• Medial & lateral parapatellar recesses
• Short + long axis views
• Where fluid loves to hide



📌 Key Takeaways:
• Fluid is mobile — position matters
• Don’t stop at the suprapatellar recess
• Always check medial + lateral recesses
• Use short AND long axis
• Mild flexion helps redistribute fluid

🎯 Complete scan = fewer missed effusions



🧠 Quick Scan Protocol:
• Suprapatellar recess — short & long axis
• Lateral parapatellar recess — short & long axis
• Medial parapatellar recess — short & long axis

👉 Assess with the knee in mild flexion

👉 Add Power Doppler:
• Evaluate synovium for hyperemia
• Increased Doppler signal → suggests active synovitis
• Helps differentiate simple effusion vs inflammatory process




🚨 Tuesday Tip with JamieCan you recognize the bare area on shoulder ultrasound?This is a normal region without cartilage...
04/07/2026

🚨 Tuesday Tip with Jamie

Can you recognize the bare area on shoulder ultrasound?

This is a normal region without cartilage — and recognizing it is key to accurate interpretation.

🎥 Watch this quick video to train your eye and feel more confident when scanning:

Follow along for more weekly tips!

04/07/2026

🚨 Shoulder Ultrasound Tip: Know the Bare Area

The “defect” at the rotator cuff footprint is the bare area of the greater tuberosity — a normal region without cartilage coverage.

On ultrasound, it can look:
• Slightly hypoechoic
• Irregular
• Like a small cortical defect

💡 If a tear is present in this region:
It should NOT be described as an articular-surface tear

💡 Memorizing the normal footprint is key to avoiding false positives

Recognizing this = more confident scans and more accurate diagnoses



Reposting an interesting MSK ultrasound case from my colleague (and co-director of our upcoming course) 👇This is exactly...
03/26/2026

Reposting an interesting MSK ultrasound case from my colleague (and co-director of our upcoming course) 👇

This is exactly the kind of real-world, case-based learning we focus on—understanding pathology, thinking through the diagnosis, and applying it directly in clinical practice.

Our upcoming course is officially sold out 🙌
Thank you to everyone who signed up—really looking forward to it.

If you’re interested in attending a future course, send me a message with your email . I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear when new courses open.

Small group. Big skills. 💪🖥️

See it. Follow it. Question it. 👀The superficial peroneal nerve is small and easy to overlook—but when it becomes enlarg...
03/24/2026

See it. Follow it. Question it. 👀

The superficial peroneal nerve is small and easy to overlook—but when it becomes enlarged at the point where it exits the crural fascia, it’s often a sign of entrapment.

📍 Where to find it:
• Between the peroneus longus and extensor digitorum longus
• Distal lateral leg as it becomes more superficial
• Pierces the crural fascia (anterior to the fibula)
• Becomes subcutaneous just above the ankle

⚠️ Important:
Entrapment often occurs right where the nerve pierces the fascia and transitions to a superficial location.

In this case:
• Focal enlargement at the fascial exit
• Clear caliber change on long axis
• Increased cross-sectional area

⚠️ Symptoms can be subtle:
• Burning or tingling along the lateral lower leg
• Dorsal foot paresthesia
• Worse with activity
• Often no motor deficit

➡️ Easy to mistake for tendon or lateral ankle pathology

🎥 Watch the video to see how this looks on ultrasound.

Pro tip:
Use a cine loop and follow the nerve dynamically—this is where you’ll catch subtle abnormalities.

👉 Follow the nerve
👉 Compare sides

If it catches your eye… there’s usually a reason.

03/24/2026

See it. Follow it. Question it.

The superficial peroneal nerve is small…

easy to overlook…

—but when it’s enlarged at the fascial exit,

it’s often entrapment.

📍 Find it here:

• Between peroneus longus + extensor digitorum longus

• Distal lateral leg → tracking superficial

• Pierces crural fascia (anterior to fibula)

• Subcutaneous just above the ankle

⚠️ Key point:

Entrapment happens where the nerve

approaches → pierces fascia → becomes superficial

In this case:

• Focal enlargement at fascial exit

• Caliber change on long axis

• Increased cross-sectional area

⚠️ Symptoms aren’t always obvious:

• Lateral leg burning/tingling

• Dorsal foot paresthesia

• Worse with activity

• Often no motor deficit

➡️ Easy to mistake for tendon or lateral ankle pathology

🎥 Pro tip:

Use a cine loop

Follow it dynamically to the fascial exit

Look for subtle caliber change

👉 Follow the nerve

👉 Compare sides

If it catches your eye… there’s usually a reason.

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