How long does a shoulder injection take?

Most ultrasound-guided shoulder injections take less than two minutes from start to finish.

Can I drive after my appointment?

Yes. Because local anesthetic is typically used, most patients can safely drive themselves home.

Is Dr. DuBois accepting new patients?

Yes. New patients are welcome at his La Mesa clinic, serving the greater San Diego area.

Are ultrasound-guided shoulder injections more accurate?

Yes. Ultrasound-guided injections are significantly more accurate than traditional blind injections because the physician can see the needle in real time as it enters the targeted tissue. This allows the medication or PRP to be delivered precisely into the joint, bursa, or tendon, improving effectiveness and reducing the risk of missing the injury.

Do blind shoulder injections work?

Blind shoulder injections can provide relief in some cases, but their effectiveness is less predictable. Because they rely on anatomical landmarks rather than imaging, studies show they may miss the intended target up to 40% of the time. This can lead to reduced pain relief or the need for repeat injections.

Is ultrasound necessary for PRP injections?

While PRP injections can technically be performed without imaging, ultrasound guidance is strongly recommended. PRP must be placed directly into the damaged tissue to stimulate healing. Without ultrasound, the injection may not reach the exact location of injury, which can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Are ultrasound-guided injections more painful?

No. Most patients actually find ultrasound-guided injections more comfortable. Because the physician can see and avoid sensitive structures like nerves and blood vessels, the procedure is typically smoother and less irritating than a blind injection.

How long do the results of a shoulder injection last?

The duration of relief varies depending on the condition being treated and the type of injection used. Corticosteroid injections may provide relief for weeks to months, while PRP treatments aim to promote longer-term healing. Your doctor can help determine the best option based on your specific shoulder condition.

How long does a shoulder injection take?

At our San Diego office, an ultrasound-guided injection typically takes less than 2 minutes from start to finish.

Can I drive after a shoulder injection?

Yes. Most patients can safely drive themselves home after the procedure since only local anesthetic is used.

Is Dr. DuBois accepting new patients?

Yes. Dr. Benjamin DuBois is currently accepting new patients from across San Diego County at his La Mesa office.

Why Experience Counts: Inside the Nation’s Longest-Running MSK Ultrasound Course

Promotional graphic for OrthoSono's hands-on MSK ultrasound and regenerative medicine training course, established in 2008.

July 28, 2026|BenchMark Website Design|Physician Education & Leadership

Authored by: Dr. Ben DuBois, MD
Published: July 2026 | Category: Physician Education & Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Co-founded by Dr. Ben DuBois, OrthoSono has been providing hands-on musculoskeletal ultrasound education to physicians since 2008.

Why Experience Matters in MSK Ultrasound Training

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has transformed the way orthopedic physicians diagnose injuries, evaluate joint conditions, and perform image-guided procedures. Unlike many medical technologies that can be learned primarily through lectures or textbooks, MSK ultrasound is a hands-on skill that requires practice, repetition, and real-time feedback.

Learning how to recognize anatomy on a live ultrasound image, properly position the transducer, and perform ultrasound-guided procedures demands more than theoretical knowledge. It takes experience, both from the physician learning the skill and from the educators teaching it.

That philosophy has been at the heart of OrthoSono since its founding in 2008. Today, it remains the nation’s longest-running regenerative medicine and MSK ultrasound training course, providing physicians with practical, evidence-based education that emphasizes real-world clinical application.

Experience Cannot Be Replaced by Technology Alone

Medical imaging technology continues to evolve, but even the most advanced ultrasound equipment depends on the skill of the person holding the probe.

Unlike MRI or CT scans, musculoskeletal ultrasound is dynamic. Physicians perform the examination while interacting with the patient, evaluating muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints as they move. Small adjustments in probe position or angle can significantly change what appears on the screen.

Because of this, developing proficiency requires much more than learning anatomy.

Experienced instruction helps physicians understand:

Proper probe positioning and image acquisition
How to identify normal versus abnormal anatomy
Common scanning mistakes and how to avoid them
Dynamic evaluation of joints during movement
Techniques for accurate ultrasound-guided injections

These are skills that improve through guided practice and repetition rather than passive observation.

More Than 15 Years of Refining a Hands-On Educational Model

Since its establishment in 2008, OrthoSono has continually refined its curriculum to meet the evolving needs of orthopedic physicians, sports medicine specialists, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, and other clinicians who incorporate musculoskeletal ultrasound into patient care.

Rather than relying on large lecture halls alone, the course emphasizes interactive education that allows participants to immediately apply what they are learning.

Key features include:

Live, hands-on scanning laboratories
Small-group instruction
A 2:1 student-to-faculty teaching ratio
Ultrasound-guided injection training
Current evidence-based orthobiologic education
More than 20 CME credits for participating clinicians

This combination allows physicians to receive individualized feedback while building confidence performing ultrasound examinations in realistic clinical settings.

Why Small-Group Learning Makes a Difference

One of the defining characteristics of OrthoSono is its commitment to maintaining a low student-to-faculty ratio.

In many educational settings, participants spend most of their time watching demonstrations from a distance. While lectures remain an important part of medical education, developing ultrasound proficiency requires direct interaction with experienced instructors.

Small-group instruction gives participants opportunities to:

Ask questions as they arise
Receive immediate feedback on scanning technique
Correct hand positioning and probe movement
Better understand challenging anatomy
Gain confidence before returning to their own clinical practice

For physicians learning a highly technical skill, those one-on-one teaching moments can be just as valuable as the formal lectures themselves.

Comprehensive Training Across the Musculoskeletal System

Musculoskeletal ultrasound extends far beyond a single joint. Physicians must understand how anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology vary throughout the body, which is why OrthoSono’s curriculum provides comprehensive instruction across multiple anatomical regions.

Participants gain hands-on experience evaluating and performing ultrasound-guided procedures involving the:

Shoulder
Elbow
Hand and wrist
Spine and pelvis
Hip
Knee
Foot and ankle

By scanning multiple joints and soft tissue structures during the course, physicians develop a broader understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy while improving their ability to recognize normal findings, identify pathology, and apply ultrasound confidently in everyday clinical practice.

Learning Ultrasound-Guided Procedures Through Real Practice

One of the greatest advantages of musculoskeletal ultrasound is its ability to provide real-time visualization during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Rather than relying solely on anatomical landmarks, physicians can watch the needle enter the intended tissue while avoiding nearby nerves, blood vessels, and other important structures.

Developing this level of precision requires far more than reading about injection techniques. It requires supervised practice under experienced instructors who can provide immediate guidance on needle visualization, probe positioning, and patient positioning.

At OrthoSono, participants practice these techniques in a structured educational environment designed to build confidence while reinforcing safe, evidence-based procedural skills.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Orthobiologic Education

Regenerative medicine continues to evolve as new research expands our understanding of biologic therapies and their potential role in orthopedic care. Keeping pace with this growing body of evidence is an important part of continuing medical education.

OrthoSono incorporates evidence-based instruction on orthobiologics, helping physicians better understand current research, patient selection, ultrasound-guided procedural techniques, and practical clinical applications. The goal is not simply to introduce new technologies but to help clinicians evaluate emerging evidence and incorporate appropriate treatments responsibly.

This emphasis on evidence-based education allows participants to leave the course with practical knowledge they can thoughtfully apply within their own practices.

A Course Built by Physicians Who Continue to Teach

Since co-founding OrthoSono in 2008, Dr. Ben DuBois and Dr. Don Buford have remained committed to creating an educational experience that prioritizes hands-on learning over passive observation.

Over the years, the course has continued to evolve alongside advances in musculoskeletal ultrasound technology, orthopedic research, and regenerative medicine. The curriculum has been refined through years of teaching physicians from a variety of specialties and experience levels, allowing faculty to continually improve both the educational content and the learning experience.

That commitment to continuous improvement is one reason OrthoSono remains one of the country’s most respected musculoskeletal ultrasound training programs. Rather than standing still, the course continues to adapt to new research, new techniques, and the changing needs of today’s physicians.

Bringing Advanced Education Back to Patient Care in San Diego

For Dr. Ben DuBois, teaching physicians through OrthoSono is an extension of his commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. While the course is designed for medical professionals, the knowledge gained and shared ultimately benefits the patients he treats every day in San Diego.

As both an educator and practicing orthopedic surgeon, Dr. DuBois remains actively engaged with the latest developments in musculoskeletal ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, and orthobiologic treatments. Teaching alongside experienced faculty and interacting with physicians from across the country provides valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss challenging cases, and stay current with evolving techniques and research.

That ongoing collaboration helps ensure that patients receive care informed by current best practices and evidence-based medicine.

Why Continuing Medical Education Matters

Medicine is constantly evolving. New research, imaging techniques, and treatment options continue to shape how orthopedic specialists diagnose and manage musculoskeletal conditions.

Continuing medical education allows physicians to refine existing skills, evaluate new technologies, and incorporate proven advances into clinical practice. Courses like OrthoSono provide an environment where experienced clinicians can continue learning while sharing knowledge with one another.

For patients, that commitment to lifelong learning means being treated by a physician who values continuous improvement and remains engaged with advances in orthopedic care.

Experience You Can Trust

With more than 15 years of educational leadership, OrthoSono has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s premier hands-on musculoskeletal ultrasound training programs. Its emphasis on small-group instruction, practical experience, and evidence-based education has helped thousands of physicians strengthen their diagnostic and procedural skills.

For Dr. DuBois, co-founding and continuing to teach through OrthoSono reflects the same philosophy he brings to his orthopedic practice: combine experience, advanced technology, and individualized care to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

Whether he is teaching fellow physicians or caring for patients in San Diego, the goal remains the same: to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based orthopedic care grounded in experience.

Learn More About Dr. DuBois

If you’re looking for an experienced orthopedic specialist who combines advanced diagnostic technology with personalized treatment, learn more about Dr. Ben DuBois or explore his approach to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and musculoskeletal ultrasound for shoulder conditions.

From conservative treatment options to advanced ultrasound-guided procedures and surgical care when necessary, Dr. DuBois is committed to helping patients throughout San Diego County return to the activities they enjoy.