We recently interacted with Dr. Tushar B. Munnoli who is a renowned Interventional Pain Medicine specialist currently practicing at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. After his post-graduation in Anesthesia, Dr. Munnoli pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management. He holds a diploma in Musculoskeletal ultrasound and is a certified Interventional Pain Sonologist (CIPS) from the World Institute of Pain (USA).
Dr. Munnoli has been using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for the past 7 years and currently employs the Sonosite SII as well as Sonosite Edge II systems to assess various musculoskeletal conditions and to perform regenerative medicine interventions. He utilizes POCUS for real-time and dynamic examinations of a wide range of structures, including muscles, joints, tendons, nerves, and vessels.
Dr Munnoli stated that “Point-of-care Ultrasound has been instrumental for me in assessing musculoskeletal conditions, such as tendon and ligament injuries, joint diseases, and soft tissue abnormalities. It is also crucial for detecting nerve compressions, snapping tendons, impingement syndromes, and bursitis, or assessing restrictions and abnormalities in joint mobility aiding in diagnosis and treatment.” He added, “POCUS assists me in guiding needles to target specific nerves with precision, providing effective pain relief for conditions like neuropathic pain or complex regional pain syndrome. I also use it frequently for regenerative medicine interventions like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or stem cell injections allowing for accurate targeting of the damaged tissue and promoting the regrowth and repair of musculoskeletal structures.”
While discussing a case involving a 55-year-old lady with a chronic knee pain complaint and a long history of misdiagnosis, Dr. Munnoli highlighted the use of point-of-care ultrasound for accurate diagnosis and immediate pain relief through real-time ultrasound-guided targeting of the entrapped infrapatellar nerve.
As a strong advocate for Point of Care Ultrasound, Dr. Munnoli contributes to ultrasound education and training through yearly workshops under the banner of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Pain Society (MUPS), alongside with other eminent pain specialists from across India. His aim is to contribute to the improvement of patient care, innovative research, and the growth of this vital medical specialty.