Good care begins with careful evaluation and proper diagnosis. The physicians at Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates are highly trained in the latest techniques to properly diagnose your condition and get you on the road to a speedy recovery.
Some of the diagnostic methods we use are:
CT Scan
Tulsa Bone & Joint uses CT scans to produce computer-processed combinations of multiple X-rays taken from different angles that allow our clinicians to see inside the body noninvasively. Our CT is a dedicated extremity cone-beam scanner capable of imaging upper and lower extremities, specializing in weight-bearing images.
Bone Density Testing
Similar to an X-ray, this test will help your doctor diagnose osteoporosis, or loss of bone mass. Understanding your bone density will help your doctor make recommendations for healthy bones and injury prevention. This is a simple, non-invasive test performed while you lie flat on a table. All you need to do is lie still and breathe normally.
X-Ray
An X-ray is a photographic or digital image that allows doctors to view the bones inside your body. The images produced help doctors identify if fractures or misshapen bones are the cause of pain. With these images, doctors can form a plan of action to treat the problem. Patients need to remain motionless to produce the best images. This test is usually quick depending on the amount of images needed for diagnosis.
Our state-of-the-art X-ray equipment is capable of accommodating limited mobility. We can also perform full-length standing spine X-rays, a study that is imperative for the accurate evaluation and follow-up of our scoliosis (curvature of the spine) patients. All of our X-ray studies are read and evaluated immediately by the physician providing your orthopedic care.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Unlike an X-ray that produces images of bones, MRI uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to image soft tissues such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons. These images can help doctors identify what is causing your pain and make an accurate diagnosis.
An MRI is conducted with the use of a large, and sometimes loud, machine. To get the best results, patients need to remain very still during this test. An MRI is painless, but depending on the depth of the test, it could vary in the amount of time it will take.
We offer a full-body high-field magnet, extremity magnet, and computer radiography. All reports are interpreted by a specialized radiologist on site and via telecommunications. The results of the tests are available to your physician the next day.
Electromyography (EMG)
Electromyography (EMG) is a procedure used to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG results can reveal nerve or muscle dysfunction or problems with the signal transmission between nerves and muscles.
Your doctor may order an EMG if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a nerve or muscle disorder, such as:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle pain or cramping
- Certain types of limb pain
Tulsa Bone & Joint offers EMG testing on site. Your EMG physician works hand-in-hand with your referring physician. The collaborative efforts at Tulsa Bone & Joint are designed to improve every patient’s overall level of care.
Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates, with locations in Tulsa, Bartlesville, Owasso, and Sand Springs, Oklahoma, can quickly and accurately diagnose your condition using various testing methods. When it comes to your musculoskeletal health, we leave no stone unturned.
Call us today at (918) 392-1400 to schedule an appointment, or use our online form and someone from our staff will contact you.
