- Diagnostic Services
The doctors at our Athens injury center often treat professional athletes, who need to make a full and fast recovery. Their entire career depends on the accuracy of getting their sports injuries diagnosed and treated. And this is why we rely on the most modern and effective diagnosis tools: MRI and X-ray.
These tools are considered by healthcare professionals worldwide as the best and most accurate ways of diagnosing internal injuries. Here is what you need to know on this topic:
How Does MRI Work?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce highly detailed images of the interior of the body, including soft tissues and blood vessels. It is safe and non-invasive and does not interfere with your ability to regain your full athletic performance.
You do not need special preparations before an MRI test. However, you will have to remove any metallic items that may interfere with the magnetic field, such as:
- Jewelry and piercings
- Eyeglasses
- Underwire bras
- Watches
- Any cosmetics containing metallic particles
Types of Injuries Detected by MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is used for diagnosing sports injuries to various soft tissues, which usually do not appear on an X-ray. The most common types of injuries that show up on this test are:
- Muscle strains or tears
- Ligament sprains
- Tendinitis or tendon tears
- Cartilage damage
- Joint injuries, such as meniscus tear
X-Rays Detect Most Types of Bone Injuries
The X-ray is the oldest type of diagnostic tool that allows doctors to see internal injuries. It shows detailed images of the bones, thus it is the first test performed to identify common sports injuries such as fractures and joint dislocations.
Just like MRI, X-rays are safe and non-invasive and will not impact your athletic performance or the compliance with anti-doping rules and regulations.
How X-Ray and MRI Help Us Treat Sports Injuries
The doctors at our Athens injury center rely on diagnostic tools to help us identify the exact location and nature of the injury, as well as to monitor your progress during treatment.
The key benefits of these tools are:
1. Highly Accurate Diagnosis
Precision is paramount when it comes to pinpointing the place and extent of sports injuries. Some of them may be resolved with physiotherapy and chiropractic care. Others may require surgery and immobilization.
This is why we will always err on the safe side and perform the most detailed diagnostic tests, so that we can create the right treatment plan.
2. Guidance for Treatment
Some treatments for sports injuries involve injections with anesthetic and anti-inflammatory substances. These substances must be delivered exactly into the injured area. Detailed imaging tests allow our doctors to plan and execute this procedure with maximum accuracy.
3. Monitoring Your Progress
During the course of your treatment, you may have to undergo a second set of X-ray and MRI test. These tests will confirm if your injury is healing according to the expectations, or if it is necessary to change the treatment plan.
Let the Doctors at Our Athens Injury Clinic Treat Your Sports Injuries!
Injuries are a very serious issue for athletes. If they do not heal property, it can mean the end of a career for which they worked for years. Fortunately, with the help of modern X-ray and MRI tests and the experience of the doctors at our Athens injury clinic, you have the best chances of making a full recovery.
Contact us at 1-800-HURT911 to schedule an initial appointment as soon as possible after your sports accident!
