If you currently believe you are struggling with an orthopedic injury, the next step is to see a physician to receive a diagnosis. There are many ways in which a doctor reaches the diagnosis. Learning about the tests available could give you essential insight before ever stepping foot in the office.
Diagnosing Orthopedic Injuries
There is a wide range of tests that orthopedic doctors use. Here, we break down the information about four of the most common tests used for diagnosing orthopedic injuries.
EMG
An EMG, also known as electromyography, is a commonly used test for diagnosing orthopedic injuries. The Mayo Clinic describes an EMG as a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. An EMG’s results can show nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction, or nerve-to-muscle signal transmission issues.
An EMG is conducted by using electrodes to translate the possible issues into graphs, sounds, or numerical values. After that is done, a specialist is required to decipher the results for a patient.
When the EMG is conducted with a needle, it is inserted into the muscle to record its electrical activity in that specific area.
At South Shore Orthopedics, our Dr. Maguire is here to conduct any EMG you may need. Once it is decided that an EMG is the best test to determine your diagnosis, we will make sure that it happens for you.
MRI
An MRI, otherwise known as magnetic resonance imaging, is another test used in diagnosing orthopedic injuries. The Mayo Clinic describes an MRI as a technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in the body.
With this test, the procedure entails lying inside an MRI machine. This machine is a large tube shape. It is necessary to go through the prior authorization process detailed here when it comes to an MRI. Once that is done, it can be expected to wait 3-5 business days until approval is obtained. This may vary depending on your insurance plan’s requirements. Our office can answer any additional questions.
Bone Density Test
A bone density test is another way of diagnosing orthopedic injuries and preventing further ones. This is often specifically used to diagnose osteoporosis in a patient. Osteoporosis is a condition that contributes to fragile bones that have a higher chance of breaking. For this test, the presiding professional uses x-rays to see how much calcium and bone materials are packed into different sections of bones.
X-Rays of Extremities
Finally, x-rays are a long-standing test of seeing what is wrong with an orthopedic injury. Diagnosing orthopedic injuries often uses x-rays. Johns Hopkins Medicine details the use of x-rays by explaining that they use electromagnetic energy beams to make images of the bones and the surrounding soft tissue. This happens with the help of external radiation that produces images of the chosen areas to diagnose orthopedic injuries and other problems.
Especially when it comes to fractures or deformities, x-rays can show the bone beneath the skin and present any breaks or changes. The contract shown on an x-ray comes from the fact that different areas of the body allow different amounts of X-ray beams to pass through. This results in lighter and darker areas on the X-ray image that is produced.
Diagnosing orthopedic injuries is the first step to solving your problem. These tests can seem overwhelming when you are unsure what each one is doing. Here, you get to learn about four different types of tests you may encounter. Do you have questions about one of the tests that could diagnose an orthopedic injury? Contact us through our website or give us a call at (781) 337-5555.