Q: Will I have an X-ray during my first visit to The Spine Care Center in Manassas?
A: X-rays are typically used to check bone for fractures, infections, and tumors, and to determine if bones are properly aligned. After learning about your symptoms and specific circumstances, your spine specialist will be able to judge whether or not an X-ray is necessary for you.
Q: How will my spine care provider examine my spine?
A: Our expert spine doctors look at your history, talk to you about your symptoms, and perform a physical examination that includes evaluating:
After the physical examination, your spine care expert may need to perform additional tests in order to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. Additional tests may include MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, and lab tests. These diagnostic tests allow our back doctors to determine the root of your problem and find the best treatment for your spine pain.
Q: What is an MRI scan?
A: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan provides images of soft tissue. The images are generated by computers and MRIs help your spine care expert identify conditions such as:
Q: What is a CAT scan?
A: A computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan is essentially a cross between an X-ray and an MRI. It shows bones and soft tissues, though the images provided by CAT scans usually aren’t as clear as MRIs or X-rays. In order to see the soft tissue more easily, a CAT scan is often combined with a myelogram, in which a special dye is injected into your spinal canal.
Q: What is a discogram?
A: A discogram is a type of X-ray in which a specialized dye is injected into an injured disc. With this dye in place, your spine care provider is able to see a clearer image of the disc on the X-ray film and fluoroscope screen. This helps the spine care expert make a more informed diagnosis.
Q: What is a spinal tap?
A: A spinal tap is used to take a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your spinal cord. Our spine care doctors may do a spinal tap to check for inflammation, bleeding, white blood cell levels, or protein levels. The information we get from a spinal tap can help us spot signs of an infection, tumors, or bleeding around the spinal cord or brain.
Q: What is an EMG test?
A: Electromyogram (EMG) tests are used to examine the nerve roots that leave the spine. An EMG can help the doctor diagnose pinched nerves or other issues between the neck and muscles we test.
Q: What is a bone scan?
A: A bone scan helps your spine care provider pinpoint issues in your spine. During a bone scan, one of our expert spine doctors injects a tracer into your bloodstream and then takes pictures of your skeleton using a specialized camera that is able to record the radiation of the tracer. The camera will pick up dark spots known as “hotspots.” These hotspots signal high bone activity, which is where bones are changing quickly due to a fracture, bone tumors, osteoporosis, or overuse.
Do you have additional questions? Contact The Spine Care Center in Manassas to learn more about diagnostic tests and how our team can help you overcome back pain.