Mini-Fellowship in MSK Radiology - Extremities

 

Mini-Fellowship in Musculoskeletal (MSK) MRI – Extremity

Advanced Postgraduate Training in Extremity MRI Interpretation

Administered by The Academy of Chiropractic
42 CE and CME Credits | PACE Recognized | SUNY Buffalo Medical - Cleveland University–Kansas City Chiropractic Approved

Program Overview

The Mini-Fellowship in Musculoskeletal (MSK) MRI – Extremity is an advanced postgraduate training program designed for doctors who have completed foundational extremity MRI education and are seeking higher-level mastery in diagnostic imaging interpretation.

What Is Musculoskeletal (MSK) Radiology?

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Radiology is a subspecialty of radiology focused on the imaging, diagnosis, and characterization of disorders affecting the:

  • Bones

  • Joints

  • Cartilage

  • Ligaments

  • Tendons

  • Muscles

  • Soft tissues

MSK radiologists are specifically trained to interpret advanced imaging studies—including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray—to identify both acute and chronic pathology.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is considered the gold standard for soft tissue evaluation because it provides high-resolution visualization of:

  • Ligament integrity

  • Tendon degeneration and tears

  • Cartilage defects

  • Bone marrow edema

  • Stress reactions and fractures

  • Inflammatory and degenerative arthropathies

  • Tumors and metastatic disease

Extremity MRI focuses specifically on imaging of the:

  • Shoulder

  • Elbow

  • Wrist

  • Hand

  • Hip

  • Knee

  • Ankle

  • Foot

Unlike general radiology interpretation, MSK radiology requires advanced understanding of biomechanics, injury mechanisms, tissue healing patterns, and the subtle imaging distinctions between normal anatomical variants and clinically significant pathology.

Participants train directly with Kevin Baker, MD, a Musculoskeletal Radiologist who teaches the MSK residency program at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook, School of Medicine.

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based MRI, CAT Scan, X-ray applications, advanced diagnostics, imaging technology, and co-morbidities affecting extremity pathology.

Who Should Enroll?

This program is designed for:

  • Chiropractors with prior extremity MRI training

  • Clinicians seeking advanced diagnostic credibility

  • Doctors pursuing higher-level academic and medico-legal authority

  • Providers committed to evidence-based spine and extremity care

Faculty & Clinical Authority

Kevin Baker, MD – Musculoskeletal Radiology

  • Residency Educator at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine

  • Specialist in MSK imaging interpretation

  • Expert in extremity imaging diagnostics

This direct mentorship ensures exposure to medical-level radiologic interpretation standards consistent with academic hospital-based training programs.

Mark Studin, DC, FPSC, FASBE(c), DAAPM

Accreditation & Continuing Education

  • 42 Chiropractic and CME Continuing Education Credits

  • Recognized by The State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs school of Medicine and Biomedical sciences, Office of Continuing Medical Education

  • Recognized by Cleveland University–Kansas City, Chiropractic and Health Sciences

  • PACE Recognized through the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards

  • Administered by the Academy of Chiropractic

This ensures regulatory compliance and recognized academic legitimacy across jurisdictions.

Program Structure (Total: 42 Hours)

PART 1: Research & Examination (22 Hours)

Candidates complete:

  • Review of 15 contemporary, peer-reviewed research articles in MSK Radiology

  • Coverage of every extremity joint in the body (excluding brain and spine)

  • Completion of 15 topic-specific examinations

Research Focus Areas Include:

  • MRI technology advancements

  • Diagnostic accuracy studies

  • Co-morbidities influencing extremity imaging

  • Evidence-based imaging applications

This component ensures scholarly competence and diagnostic literacy grounded in current literature.

PART 2: Live MRI Interpretation Training (8 Hours)

Candidates participate in live instruction (in-person in New York or virtual) directly with Kevin Baker, MD.

Clinical Review Includes:

  • Interpretation of 60 MRI sequences

  • Review of 2,500+ MRI images

  • Differentiation of:

    • Normal anatomy

    • Fractures

    • Metastatic disease

    • Inflammatory vs. degenerative arthritis

    • Soft tissue pathology

Additional Diagnostic Topics Covered:

  1. Inflammatory & Degenerative Arthritis

  2. Advanced Cartilage Assessment

  3. Rotator Cuff Tears

  4. Labral Tears (Shoulder & Hip)

  5. Tendon Injuries & Degeneration

  6. Meniscal Tears

  7. Ligamentous Injuries

  8. Common Fractures

  9. Sports Injury Patterns

  10. Plantar Fasciitis

This segment reinforces real-world image interpretation skills under expert radiologic supervision.

PART 3: Scholarly Case Report Publication (12 Hours)

Each candidate must author and publish an original clinical case report demonstrating how extremity MRI impacted:

  • Diagnosis

  • Prognosis

  • Treatment Planning

Publication Requirements:

  • Original authorship

  • Inclusion of MRI images

  • Proper academic references

  • Peer-review by a professional panel

  • Formal publication facilitated by the Academy of Chiropractic

Case Report Standards

Case reports must:

  • Present a real clinical case

  • Detail signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

  • Discuss clinical decision-making

  • Contribute meaningfully to existing literature

  • Highlight clinically relevant imaging findings

The goal is to advance professional knowledge and raise awareness of diagnostic phenomena observable through extremity MRI.

 

Research paper instructions: https://primaryspinecare.net/index.php/research-instructions

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Mini-Fellowship will demonstrate:

  • Advanced competency in extremity MRI interpretation

  • Evidence-based diagnostic reasoning

  • Improved differentiation of pathology versus normal anatomical variants

  • Enhanced interdisciplinary communication with radiologists and medical specialists

  • Scholarly contribution through peer-reviewed publication

Fee: $3,000

Click Here to Purchase the Mini-Fellowship