Trainee Events

Trainee musculoskeletal conference 2027: To be announced

Date: TBC

Platform: Online (virtual)

The BSSR presents a one-day online conference bringing together expert speakers in the field of musculoskeletal radiology from across the UK. The aim of the event is to give attendees a unique insight into the career of a musculoskeletal radiologist and gain new perspective in the varied roles undertaken by MSK radiologists in the UK.

The conference is aimed at radiology trainees of all levels as well as fellows from across the UK. International attendance is welcomed. Musculoskeletal radiology is a hugely diverse and varied speciality in which trainees may not get as much dedicated exposure during training. It promises to be a highly rewarding day for attendees and one not to be missed!

Trainee Projects

There are several projects being undertaken by BSSR trainee members currently, if you wish to be involved in one of the projects or if you have an idea for a BSSR trainee project, please contact either Dr Emma Rowbotham (emma.rowbotham@nhs.net), Dr Mostafa Ellatif (mostafa.ellatif@nhs.net) to discuss.

UK Fellowships:

Leeds Fellowship

The Leeds MSK fellowship is a well-established, dedicated year long Musculoskeletal Fellowship, suitable for experienced Senior Radiology Trainees - typically post CCT or within 3 months of obtaining CCT. The posts provide extensive exposure to all aspects of both musculo-skeletal diagnostic and therapeutic work including: intervention with, bone, soft tissue and spinal biopsies, ultrasound, musculoskeletal MRI, CT and arthrography. The fellows will be asked to contribute to the teaching programme for the Radiology registrars via the Leeds/Bradford Radiology Academy. There will also be ample time and facilities for on-going research. There is no on call commitment to these posts. Applications are usually in September/October for an August start date the following year.

Contact: Dr Richard Fawcett (richard.fawcett@nhs.net)

Oxford Fellowship

Oxford offers an internationally renowned 1 year MSK fellowship at a tertiary centre, covering the entire gamut of MSK pathology and intervention.

Oxford encompasses the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC), John Radcliffe, Churchill and Horton Hospitals and the MSK radiology team provides diagnostic and interventional MSK service across all the sites. This means access to work from a specialist orthopaedic hospital, level I trauma centre and oncology centre of excellence.

Oxford has specialist teams and MDTs covering:

• Primary bone and soft tissue tumours,
• Bone infection,
• Trauma and acute MSK presentations,
• Sports,
• Adult and Paediatric Rheumatology,
• Metabolic bone disorders and dysplasias,
• Paediatrics,
• Specific orthopaedic subspecialties such as spine, elbow/shoulder, hand, hip, foot & ankle,
• Metastatic bone related pain and interventional oncology (OxMINT).

Fellows will have a chance to observe and lead in a number of these meetings, as well as become competent in ultrasound, fluoroscopic, and CT guided intervention ranging from steroid injections to tumour ablation and cementoplasty.

Requirements for the post include:

• GMC registration with a license to practice
• FRCR or equivalent
• CCT or equivalent

Desired additional qualities:

• Basic competencies in MSK ultrasound and guided procedures
• Basic competencies in fluoroscopic procedures
• MSK publications and presentations and an interest in research
• Experience of audit, management, teaching and the NHS

Timings:

We usually advertise for 3 fellowship positions towards the end of the calendar year, with start dates the year after from June - August. The adverts are usually on trac and NHS Jobs websites, and will be posted on the BSSR Forum.

For further details, please contact fellowship lead, Dr Yaron Berkowitz

Email: Yaron.berkowitz@ouh.nhs.uk

Secretary: ann.johnson@ouh.nhs.uk

Liverpool Fellowship

The Musculoskeletal Imaging fellowship at Liverpool is a one year post-radiology CCT training program and also suitable for those within 3 months of obtaining CCT. There are 2 fellowship posts per year with staggered start dates (February and August). Our established program incorporates the application and interpretation of the full range of adult MSK imaging examinations and procedures including image guided percutaneous biopsy and intervention. There will be the opportunity to gain experience in image guided spinal intervention for pain management and one day per week experience in paediatric MSK imaging. Fellows will participate in a range of divisional multi-disciplinary team meetings and the RLUH is a regional STS diagnostic and treatment centre.

The post will include one session a week of dedicated research time. The MSK Imaging Fellowship attracts a top scale (yr6) SpR pay rate with no on-call commitment.

Contact: Dr Alpesh Mistry (Alpesh.Mistry@liverpoolft.nhs.uk)

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham

A major bone and soft tissue sarcoma centre and tertiary referral centre. We provide a one year fellowship which provides comprehensive training in musculoskeletal imaging. Fellows will be given the opportunity to train in all imaging modalities. Mentorship will be provided for diagnostic and therapeutic musculoskeletal ultrasound. The interventional component of the fellowship includes a broad range of procedures with more complex procedures including radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and vertebroplasties. Fellows will be encouraged to participate in multidisciplinary meetings such as Spinal Oncology, Sarcoma and Young Adult Hip. Daily reporting which will be double read also provides plenty of opportunity for learning.

Participation in clinical research is strongly encouraged with plenty of academic opportunities. Applications tend to be released in September for an August start date.

Contact: Dr. Christine Azzopardi (christine.azzopardi1@nhs.net)

Stoke Mandeville Musculoskeletal & Spinal Radiology Fellowship

The MSK radiology fellowship is a 12 month clinical and research program based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), the oldest, and one of the largest spinal injury centres in the world.

The fellow will participate in an intensive training program in musculoskeletal imaging, which includes plain film radiographs, ultrasound, CT and MRI of the musculoskeletal system, image-guided interventions, arthrography, percutaneous bone biopsy and complex spinal intervention including vertebroplasty and radiofrequency ablation for bony metastases. The fellow will be involved in a variety of novel techniques (for example dynamic MDCT for spinal stability, shearwave elastography and palliative RFA) and be exposed to wide-ranging pathologies.

There will be opportunities to attend weekly Musculoskeletal MDT, Spinal Orthopaedic MDT, and Spinal Injury MDT meetings at Stoke Mandeville and attend the regional Sarcoma MDT at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) in Oxford.

Contact: Dr David McKean (David.McKean@nhs.net)

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore Fellowship

The RNOH MSK Fellowship covers all aspects of diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal imaging, including plain films, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI, Interventional procedures taking place within the department include radiofrequency ablation, arthrography, percutaneous bone and soft biopsy and complex spinal intervention. There will be a graduated responsibility with the fellow initially observing their allocated consultant reporting scans and procedures, and they will then progress to performing procedures under direct supervision. By three months, the fellow should be able to undertake routine interventional procedures with indirect consultant supervision. Reporting of cross-sectional imaging will always be double-read by a supervising consultant which provides an excellent forum for teaching and direct feedback. There are no on-call responsibilities for the post-CCT fellowship.

There are opportunities to attend weekly musculoskeletal MDT meetings; daily spinal MDT meetings including spinal deformity, degenerative spine, neurosurgical spine and spine infection, whilst there are also sarcoma, foot and ankle, shoulder, juvenile hip, hip debris, joint reconstruction, rheumatology and pain MDTs throughout the week. There is an active teaching programme with monthly journal clubs, discrepancy meetings and opportunities for Orthopaedic SHO and SpR teaching on internal and national courses. There will be an expectation to organise and teach on relaxed quarterly evening ‘MSK Symposiums’ aimed at radiology registrars in and around 2B exams with an interest in MSK imaging.

Contact: Dr Ian Pressney (ianpressney@nhs.net)

MSK-Imaging fellowship at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Oswestry

The RJAH is a specialist Orthopaedic Hospital located in Shropshire, England, roughly halfway between Shrewsbury and Chester. The radiology department employs 8 full-time subspecialty trained MSK radiologists and offers 2 one year fellowships post CCT. The radiology department almost exclusively provides MSK imaging.

Radiology supports a bone and soft tissue sarcoma unit, orthopaedic spine surgery, upper and lower limb surgery, sports injuries, spinal injury unit, paediatric orthopaedics and rheumatology. Our fellows find a wide range of orthopaedic imaging and procedures / interventions. The main emphasis is on preparing the tumor MDT, reporting MRI and image guided MSK intervention but personal wishes can be accommodated. There is a high number of MSK ultrasound lists.

The consultants provide formal and informal teaching sessions and supervision. There are good opportunities for research and audit.

Accommodation can be provided and there is no on-call. Oswestry lies on the border to Wales well situated for outdoor pursuits.

Contact: Dr Jaspreet Singh (Jaspreet.singh2@nhs.net)