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MSK | From scan to scalpel: Pre and post-operative upper limb insights

Tracks
Arena 2 | Virtual
MSK
Sunday, May 31, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Arena 2 | Canon Medical

Speaker

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Mrs Kerryn Dodd
Senior Sonographer
Queensland X-Ray

Mechanical failure in the hand: From triggering to contracture **NEW VOICE**

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Presentation Synopsis / Abstract

This lecture explores the anatomical and pathological processes affecting the palmar aspect of the hand, with particular focus on the digital pulley system and the palmar fascia. A detailed review of the flexor mechanism will highlight its critical role in maintaining efficient tendon biomechanics and normal finger flexion.

Building on this anatomical foundation, the session will examine two common clinical conditions that disrupt normal flexor function: Trigger finger and Dupuytren’s contracture. The underlying disease mechanisms, including tendon–pulley mismatch and fibroproliferative changes within the palmar fascia, will be discussed alongside their characteristic clinical presentations and patterns of functional impairment.

The lecture will then demonstrate how musculoskeletal ultrasound provides valuable insight into these conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the sonographic appearance of pulley thickening, tendon pathology, and palmar fascial abnormalities, as well as the role of dynamic imaging in confirming mechanical dysfunction.

Finally, the session will highlight how ultrasound findings complement clinical assessment to guide treatment decisions, image-guided interventions, and surgical planning.

Biography

Mrs Kerryn Dodd | Queensland X-Ray Kerryn Dodd is a Senior Sonographer with more than 20 years’ experience in diagnostic medical ultrasound across a range of clinical settings. She brings extensive clinical expertise and a strong commitment to patient-centred care, image quality, and professional standards. She values collaboration within multidisciplinary healthcare teams and contributes to the ongoing advancement of the profession through experience-based leadership.
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Dr Simon Fleming
Orthopaedic Hand & Wrist Surgeon
CQHHS

An orthopaedic surgeon's guide to trigger finger, carpal tunnel and Dupuytren's contracture

9:20 AM - 9:40 AM

Presentation Synopsis / Abstract

Three of the most common hand conditions encountered in clinical practice, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Dupuytren's contracture, present with overlapping symptoms and are frequently misdiagnosed or sub-optimally managed. This talk offers a practical, surgeon-led perspective on navigating each condition from first presentation through to definitive treatment.

A central theme throughout will be the evolving role of musculoskeletal ultrasound, both as a diagnostic aid and as a tool to guide intervention, with the end goal of improved precision and patient outcomes.

Whether building an injection service, refining a surgical approach or just curious about what it is a hand surgeon does, this session will provide immediately applicable insights grounded in current evidence and real-world practice.

Biography

Dr Simon Fleming | CQHHS Simon Fleming is a consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon, medical education Ph.D and culture change advocate, with an acclaimed international reputation for his trailblazing work. He is a founding member of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA) and sits on the Board for the NIHR Clinical Education Incubator. He is a past Associate Editor for Medical Education and The Clinical Teacher, and a current British Journal of Surgery Editorial Board member. As a trainee, he was Vice Chair of the United Kingdom’s Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Trainee Doctors’ Group, President of the British Orthopaedic Trainees’ Association, and a Royal College of Surgeons (Eng) and British Orthopaedic Association Council member. He has delivered over 250 keynotes globally on his landmark and award-winning work around diversity, inclusion, improving training as well as challenging toxic cultures. He works with individuals and organisations to transform healthcare education and culture, as well as how to start having those uncomfortable conversations.
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Miss Susan Diep
Sonographer
GE HealthCare

Rotator cuff tear patterns and classifications

9:40 AM - 10:00 AM

Presentation Synopsis / Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are one of the leading cause of shoulder pain, and ultrasound plays a key role in their detection, characterisation, and clinical assessment. This presentation will provide a focused overview of the sonographic evaluation of rotator cuff tear patterns and commonly used classification approaches.

The session will review the ultrasound features across the spectrum of rotator cuff pathology, including partial-thickness tears (articular-sided, bursal-sided, and intrasubstance) and full-thickness tears. Emphasis will be placed on recognising tear morphology such as crescent, U-shaped, L-shaped, and complete retracted tears, and understanding how these patterns relate to tendon biomechanics, surgical repair strategies, and prognosis.

Practical scanning strategies will also be discussed, including techniques to optimise tendon assessment, minimise anisotropy, and identify important secondary signs such as cortical irregularity, tendon retraction, and bursal fluid. There is also a focus on clinical assessment.

Through a structured and practical approach, this presentation aims to refine diagnostic confidence and support accurate, clinically meaningful reporting of rotator cuff tears using ultrasound. This consistency will help guide patients management and treatment and overall outcomes (with or without surgical intervention)

Biography

Miss Susan Diep | GE HealthCare Susan Diep is a Clinical Ultrasound Applications Specialist working with GE HealthCare and also a general clinical sonographer. Her particular interest focusses around MSK imaging - combining functional assessment with clinical correlation supported by imaging. Her focus is on patient outcomes and diagnoses to help a patient's treatment and management. She is passionate about education and interprofessional collaboration.
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Dr Praveen Vijaysegaran
Orthopaedic Surgeon
St Andrews Private Hospital Ipswich

An orthopaedic surgeon's guide to rotator cuff tear management

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Presentation Synopsis / Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are one of the most commonly encountered orthopaedic conditions, present in 20% of the general population, with radiographic findings of cuff tears present sonographically in up to 60-70% of 70 year olds in certain studies. These tears have the potential to cause significant morbidity, resulting in pain and affecting function of the upper limb. Management options for patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears include analgesia, physiotherapy, corticosteroid injections and surgery. Rotator cuff repair remains the mainstay of surgical management, with other surgical options including arthroscopic debridement, superior capsular reconstruction, muscle-tendon transfer, and shoulder arthroplasty. While open techniques for rotator cuff repair remain effective, modern arthroscopic techniques deliver consistent and reliable results, even for patients with large and/or chronic tears. This lecture aims to discuss the clinical and radiographic workup of patients with rotator cuff tears from a surgeon's perspective, along with a discussion of contemporary surgical management options, focusing on the relevance of pre and post-operative imaging findings.

Biography

Dr Praveen Vijaysegaran | St Andrews Private Hospital Ipswich Dr Praveen Vijaysegaran is an orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in upper limb surgery with subspecialist training and a keen interest in shoulder arthroscopy and arthroplasty. After growing up in Brisbane, Dr Vijaysegaran graduated with degrees in Medicine, Surgery and Biomedical Science from the University of Melbourne in 2009. Dr Vijaysegaran rotated through a number of Queensland-based hospitals as a junior doctor/orthopaedic trainee before receiving his FRACS in Orthopaedic Surgery from the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 2019. During this time, he also obtained a Master of Applied Science degree focusing on orthopaedic research from the Queensland University of Technology. Over a 12-month period, he then completed the Australian Shoulder Athroscopy and Arthroplasty Fellowship. Dr Vijaysegaran also served as the Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Ipswich General Hospital from 2020 to 2024. Dr Vijaysegaran actively participates in orthopaedic research, and has published and presented both locally and internationally on several occasions. He is a member of the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research and the Australian Shoulder and Elbow Society. He also holds appointments as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Queensland and Visiting Fellow at QUT. He is one of the Co-Directors of the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship, which trains surgeons from around Australia and across the world. Dr Vijaysegaran is also involved in the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s Outreach Program, leading medical outreach trips to Fiji to help the local community. Dr Vijaysegaran currently works in private practice at St Andrews Private Hospital Ipswich and Mater Private Hospital Springfield.
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