Results of the survey on the use of ultrasound among the members of the Spanish Association of Arthroscopy (Asociación Española de Artroscopia -AEA-)

Abstract

78 ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the implementation and use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (Eco MSK) in locomotor system clinics on the part of specialists in orthopedic surgery and arthroscopy in the setting of the Spanish Association of Arthroscopy (AEA). The performance of ultrasound-guided therapy (UGT) or ultrasound-assisted surgery (UAS) was also evaluated. Method: the technical secretariat distributed a survey to all members of the AEA, consisting of 23 questions with 2 or 3 possible answers each. A total of 82 completed surveys were received: 70 answered by traumatologists (85%) and 12 by sports physicians and other specialists (15%) (all of them members of the AEA). Results: sixty percent of the responders were already using Eco MSK in their daily practice, with training through accredited courses and master programs though 66% had been using the technique for less than three years. For confirming the diagnosis, 46% relied on other imaging tests. Forty-one percent performed "all" infiltration techniques under ultrasound guidance, and 85% of those surveyed had no experience with UAS though 80% considered it to have a promising future. Conclusions: high satisfaction with the use of Eco MSK was observed (86% of the participants). The main limitation of the study is the small sample size: 82 responders out of 1200 professionals that received the survey. Level of evidence: IV.