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Our exceptional staff evaluates each individual utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.
DEXA ScanningAll women, but particularly female athletes, are at risk for developing osteoporosis or bone loss. DEXA, which stands for ‘Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry’, is the most commonly used test for measuring bone mineral density, as wells as one of the most accurate ways to diagnosis Osteopenia or Osteoporosis. DEXA Scans are more accurate than regular X-rays, as a person would need to lose 20-30% of their bone density before it would show up on an X-ray. DEXA requires less radiation exposure than CAT scans or Radiographic Absorptiometry. In fact you are exposed to more radiation on a coast to coast airline flight than you are during a DEXA scan.
Your physician may request a DEXA scan because you may have some of the risk factors of Osteopenia or Osteoporosis:
- Heredity can account up to 70% of overall risk
- Ethnicity
- Low body weight or BMI lower than 19
- Menstrual irregularities
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Altered dietary patterns
- Other diseases that increase risk
- Some prescription medications
Electrodiagnostic EvaluationAn electrodiagnostic evaluation is often requested to help diagnose problems involving the peripheral nervous system and muscles. This evaluation uses technical equipment to diagnose pain, numbness or weakness affecting muscles and nerves. Consisting of non- or minimally-invasive procedures, the evaluation delivers small electrical impulses to affected body regions. Test results provide information about the ability of muscles to respond to stimulation and the rate at which an electrical impulse moves through nerves, aiding the development of treatment options.
The first part of the evaluation is called the nerve conduction study, which examines how information is sent that allows you do things such as walk or reach and hold objects. The speed and number of nerve fibers are evaluated in this section of the test. A stimulator sends an electrical impulse through the nerve and a recording device displays an image on the computer screen, which will then be analyzed.
The second part of the evaluation is called the Electromyography or ‘EMG’. An electrode is placed into the muscle and the examiner will listen to sound and look at waveforms on a screen that are produced by the electrical activity produced by your muscle both at rest and when the nerve is "talking" to the muscle during muscle contraction.
Evaluation results provide information about the ability of muscles to respond to stimulation and the rate at which an electrical impulse moves through nerves, aiding the development of treatment options.
X-Ray RadiologyThe Froedtert and Medical College Sports Medicine Center utilizes on-site digital x-ray technology. Advanced technology has allowed x-ray images to be viewed and stored digitally with the use of specialized computer software. For the patient’s convenience, this common diagnostic tool is just steps away from the physicians examining room.
Board-certified Medical College of Wisconsin physicians in the Orthopedic and Radiology Department are highly specialized in interpreting the x-ray images. The digital format allows for quick interpretation, results, and explanation from a computer viewing station located right in the physician’s exam room.
Last Review Date: July 7, 2011 Online Editor(s): Kathryn Adam |
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