Legends of MSK

Dr. Holsbeeck begins by reflecting on his early life in Belgium. Raised in a family of medical professionals, he started his career as a general practitioner at the age of 24, all while pursuing a comprehensive radiology training. His introduction to musculoskeletal ultrasound occurred during his tenure at his father's practice, where he discovered not only his affinity for radiology but also his deep passion for patient interaction. He soon realized that conducting ultrasound was the perfect intersection of both of his passions for radiology and patient care.

He then provides a history of the origins of musculoskeletal ultrasound, dating back to its inception in 1979-1980. He shares his experiences from his time in gastroenterology, where ultrasound was beginning to be utilized for diagnosing gallbladder stones. It was during this time that he became captivated by the ability to correlate a patient's medical history with the findings of the ultrasound.

Dr. Holsbeeck also elaborates on his journey on musculoskeletal ultrasound, recounting the numerous single-contrast arthrograms he conducted in conjunction with ultrasound during his training. As a practicing general practitioner, he recollects performing therapeutic joint injections and he recognized the need for image-guided procedures, specifically ultrasound-guided therapeutic joint injections. This approach offered superior precision and visualization of the joint space, further enhancing patient care.

He also shares the development of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound program at Henry Ford in Detroit, Michigan, upon his arrival in 1989. He initially began using ultrasound in the Emergency Department with regards to abscess aspiration and drainage. This approach was subsequently integrated into the field of orthopedics. Dr. Holsbeeck highlights the pivotal role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of tendon tears, underscoring its capacity to promptly assess whether surgical intervention is warranted for the patient.