Orthopedic doctors and surgeons use a number of tests when diagnosing bone and joint conditions. The type of test your doctor chooses will depend upon the suspected cause of your symptoms.
Some orthopedic conditions have similar symptoms, but a physical exam and medical history may not be enough to make an accurate diagnosis. That’s when musculoskeletal testing comes into play. The following are common tests performed by Beaumont Orthopedic specialists to diagnose the cause of bone and joint problems. The types of tests you may, or may not, receive will depend on your individual condition and treatment plan.
- Laboratory tests – Laboratory tests can often help make or confirm a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. There are blood tests to help diagnose conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory conditions.
- X-rays – X-rays help visualize bone abnormalities, such as fractures, deformities, injuries, infections, and tumors. They can also show changes that are common in some types of arthritis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans – MRI and CT scans provide images that are much more detailed than x-ray. They are useful for finding fractures not visible via x-ray, and they can also image soft tissue, like muscles, ligaments and tendons, which x-rays can’t do well.
- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) – One screening test for osteoporosis or osteopenia is dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, otherwise known as DXA, dexa scan, or bone density test. Dexa scans are x-rays that examine bone density at sites throughout the body (hip, spine, wrist) or the entire body. They measure bone density and can help predict the risk of fractures and monitor treatment response.
- Arthroscopy – During an arthroscopy procedure, a small fiberoptic scope (a thin tube with a camera on it) is put in the joint space so the doctor can view the inside of the joint in order to take a sample of tissue for a biopsy and then perform minimally invasive surgery if necessary.
- Nerve and muscle tests – Nerve and muscle tests help doctors determine whether the muscles and the nerves that help the muscles work are functioning the way they should. Two tests – nerve conduction studies and electromyography – work together to help determine whether there is a problem with the muscles, the nervous system, or the neuromuscular junction. These tests are quite effective at diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome and other peripheral nerve disorders.
- Ultrasound – Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, can help identify inflammation inside or around joints, and it can also see tendon tears and inflammation.
- Bone scans – Bone scans use a radioactive substance to detect fractures that aren’t found on x-ray, CT or MRI. The radioactive substance gets absorbed by healing bone, producing images of any areas of damage. Bone scanning is also useful when trying to find out whether a bone infection or tumor has spread.
Connect with our orthopedic specialists
At Beaumont, our orthopedic surgeons are breaking new ground and pioneering treatments that improve the lives of patients dealing with joint pain and other orthopedic condition. We have specialists in hand & wrist, hip & knee, spine, back, neck and more. Whether you’re seeking help with an existing condition, you would like a diagnosis, or you are looking for help with recovery and rehabilitation, Beaumont joint pain doctors can help. Beaumont has orthopedic specialists who offer the treatments and services you need.
Call us at 800-633-7377 to make an appointment, or request an appointment online.