MSK Expert Jimenez Discusses Growing use of US for Joint Interventions
Physician: Prof. Fernando Jimenez, MD, PhD
Facility: University of Castilla la Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Featured Product: Ultra-Pro II™ Needle Guidance
Professor Fernando Jimenez, MD, PhD, is a world leader in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound and sports medicine. In addition to his numerous responsibilities at the University of Castilla la Mancha, he currently serves on the Board of the Spanish Federation of Sports Medicine and is the Director of its School of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Since 2013, he has been the Vice President of the Spanish Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. In 2000, he founded the Annual Sports Medicine Course and currently is the International Chair of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Society.
Q. How did you become interested in the ultrasound field?
A. Ultrasound allows immediate diagnosis of my athletes. Therefore, almost 20 years ago I decided to specialize in ultrasound applied to sports injury. I was really one of the first sonographers in Sports Medicine in my country, Spain.
Q. How did you become interested in using CIVCO's Ultra-Pro II needle guidance? Did you adopt it over time or was it a part of your initial education?
A. During an advanced course of ultrasound-guided intervention in the USA, I met with CIVCO staff who taught me the benefits of Ultra-Pro II guidance. I was very lucky to learn this technique.
Q. What procedures do you most commonly perform when using needle guidance?
A. In our department, most ultrasound-guided procedures are performed with needle guidance. Only very easy procedures are performed without the use of a needle guide including drainage of large volumes of pleural fluid and ascites in the abdomen.
Q. What procedures do you most commonly perform with needle guidance and how often are they performed?
A. Most procedures are related to large joints. Especially hip joints, knee or deep muscle planes. The frequency varies depending on the sports season.
Q. Can you tell me about your current role at the University of Castilla la Mancha?
A. We currently teach courses in ultrasound anatomy and interventional ultrasound. Needle guides facilitate our ultrasound-guided procedures.
Q. In regards to needle guidance technology, what advice would you offer those who are just entering the profession?
A. That it is crucial to learn the correct probe handling and subsequently to become familiar with interventional procedures. Precisely in order to develop good ultrasound-guided technique, the use of needle guides may help us perform punctures with increased safety.
Q. Describe an instance when needle guidance helped you avoid or reduce procedural challenges or complications.
A. In our specialty, needle guidance for deep punctures in the hip or in deep planes help us reach the joint cavity or fluid collections without any risk to the patient.
Q. In your professional opinion, where do you think the future of ultrasound is going?
A. Undoubtedly, one challenge is to include new technologies in ultrasound equipment such as high resolution Doppler or sonoelastography, but another important challenge is to implement an interventional approach in the treatment of many MSK lesions in order to avoid certain surgical procedures.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?
A. With the use of guides and the practice of good ultrasound technique, we can perform safer ultrasound assisted procedures. I would recommend everyone to use guidance.
