Diagnostic Testing Center in Pennsylvania
What are Some Types of Diagnostic Tests?
Understanding and documenting the extent of your injury is key in determining the most appropriate treatments. Designed to remove anxiety and uncertainty, diagnostic tests help your doctors and other medical professionals discover the most effective treatment for you.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic technique that uses a magnetic field to produce pictures of structures inside the body. During an MRI, the machine also uses pulses of radio waves to create an image based on the way hydrogen atoms in your body react to the radio waves. MRI signals can produce specific results and can provide an image of a single piece of any part of the body.
MRI scans can aid in diagnosing a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors. MRIs are especially useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
When you have a CT scan, pictures are taken by a specialized x-ray machine. This machine circles your body and scans an area from every angle within that circle, then measures how much the x-ray beams change as they pass through your body.
The pictures gathered by the machine are then compiled to generate a collection of pictures, each showing a slightly different cross-section of your internal structures. For example, if you have a CT scan taken of your back, you can see generated pictures of the three areas of the spine: the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine. CT scans can be helpful in determining the severity of a back injury or the source of back pain.
X-ray
X-rays are waves of electromagnetic radiation that are used to create images of organs and other structures inside the body. Since they have a very short wavelength, x-rays enter the body differently, and are absorbed in varying amounts by different body tissues.
For example, bones are dense and absorb X-rays very well, but muscles allow more X-rays to pass through, resulting in an X-ray shadow on a film where images of bones appear white, while shadows of muscle appear as various shades of gray.
Electromyography (EMG) Tests
Electromyography (EMG) tests analyze electrical activity in the nerves and muscles. Some types of electrical activity are normal, but some electrical activity might suggest a disease harming your nerves or muscles.
While this test can be uncomfortable for patients, it is a useful diagnostic tool for determining where nerve or muscle pain might be originating.
The Injury Care Center can Provide Diagnostic Testing
Our medical professionals at ICC have the ability to provide all of the above listed tests as well as others like epidural injections, joint injections or trigger point injections. In order to holistically treat a patient, it is important to fully understand the severity of the symptoms that he or she is experiencing. We work with those who have been injured at work, those who have suffered due to automobile accidents, and those who are experiencing other injuries. Contact us today for more information about diagnostic testing and additional treatment.
We’ve recognized that there are many providers of care but not many providers who care!
That is why we wake up every day to serve those in the local community who deserve the best care following work injury, car accident, which results in Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Concussion, Headaches, etc.