Diagnostics

Most physical therapists use the traditional model of physical therapy that includes an initial evaluation and treatments based on the initial evaluation findings. The Vance Physical Therapy Diagnostic Centers use a New Advanced Model of physical therapy, developed by HODS, that offers 62% better patient management! This new model incorporates appropriate muscle, joint and nerve testing that provide information about the true cause of your problem. As HODS Approved Diagnostic Physical Therapists they utilize not only a physical examination but also Advanced Diagnostic Testing Technologies to identify the root of your problem and treat you in the most efficient way.

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Joint Ultrasound Testing

The Advantages of Using Ultrasound

X-Rays, CT Scans and MRI’s have been for the longest time the tests used to identify problems of the musculoskeletal system. Recent advances in sonar and ultrasound technologies have created a more functional and practical approach to evaluate joints, muscles, ligaments, and even nerves. This technology is called musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Clinical evidence and research support using ultrasound as the first diagnostic test for numerous musculoskeletal conditions. Diagnostic ultrasound offers a number of important advantages compared to X-Ray, CT, and MRI, in terms of safety and effectiveness. Musculoskeletal ultrasound simply uses sonic waves, and there is no exposure to radiation.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) is noninvasive and offers real-time imaging, allowing for examinations of structures at rest and in motion.

This ability to capture the movement of musculoskeletal components differentiates it from other imaging modalities and can permit more accurate diagnoses!

MSK Ultrasound is an easy, reliable and safe test!

The HODS Approved Physical Therapists, always in the closest of cooperation and communication with the patient and the ordering physician, is here to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable experience, and to obtain the most valuable information needed by your doctor.

Proper testing assists in correct diagnosis that leads to appropriate treatment.

MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound testing can be part of your health solution!

Nerve Testing (NCS/EMG)

NCS stands for Nerve Conduction Studies and EMG stands for Electromyography. The NCS/EMG test has two parts:

  1. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) are used to measure the health of your nerves. Mild electrical stimulation is administered to the skin directly overlaying the nerve. The response is measured by a second set of electrodes applied to the surface of the skin. This impulse produces a visual signal on a computer monitor and when analyzed it can provide information about the condition of the nerve.

  2. An Electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerves control the muscles in the body by electrical signals (impulses), and these impulses cause the muscles to react in specific ways. Nerve and muscle disorders cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways. During an Electromyography study, a very small pin is inserted in the muscle that helps us evaluate the condition of your muscles.

Measuring the electrical activity in muscles and nerves can help find diseases that damage muscle tissue (such as myopathy and muscular dystrophy) or nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or peripheral neuropathies). EMG test and Nerve Conduction Studies are often done together to provide us with more complete data.

The results of NCS/EMG testing can be an invaluable tool for your doctor to determine various conditions that can affect your nerves and muscles, which will help them manage your care more effectively.

NCS/EMG test is easy, reliable and safe!

Conditions That We Treat…

The nerves of your lower back and neck coming out of your spinal cord carry information from the skin of your back, neck, hands and legs as well as to the muscles of your lower back, neck, hands and of your legs. When these nerves get impinged, you may feel pain in your back or neck, numbness, tingling sensation in your feet and legs or in your hands but also weakness, unsteady gait and even difficulty to move around.

How our Advanced Diagnostic Technologies can help you

Appropriate testing performed at HODS Approved Diagnostic Centers can evaluate the condition of your nerves and identify the location of the problem, the severity as well as the prognosis for your condition. These are valuable data that your physician and your physical therapist can use to manage your condition more effectively and prescribe for you the most appropriate treatment plan.

The nerves that come out from your back and neck provide information to the muscles or your arms, hands, legs and feet. This information when it is provided with no interruption it allows your muscles to be strong so that you can do the things you want to do in your daily life. When the nerve gets obstructed or the connection between nerve and muscle or if the cells of your muscles are diseased, weakness can occur. This can be exhibited by an inability to perform your daily tasks, difficulty in walking and tiredness.

How our Advanced Diagnostic Technologies can help you

Appropriate testing performed at HODS Approved Diagnostic Centers can evaluate the condition of your nerves and identify the location of the problem, the severity as well as the prognosis for your condition. These tests may include Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), Electromyography (EMG) and Neuro-Ultrasound. These are valuable data that your physician and your physical therapist can use to manage your condition more effectively and prescribe for you the most appropriate treatment plan.

The nerves in your arms, hands and feet are vulnerable to injury as they pass from narrow passages and tunnels formed by ligaments and other structures in your upper or lower extremities. When these tunnels become abnormally narrow, your nerves get compressed and you may feel pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensation. You may even experience weakness of your hand muscles causing you to drop objects or weakness in your legs making walking difficult or unsteady. Some of the most frequently found conditions include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome or Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

How our Advanced Diagnostic Technologies can help you

Appropriate testing performed at HODS Approved Diagnostic Centers can evaluate the condition of your nerves and identify the location of the problem, the severity as well as the prognosis for your condition. These tests may include Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), Electromyography (EMG) and Neuro-Ultrasound. These are valuable data that your physician and your physical therapist can use to manage your condition more effectively and prescribe for you the most appropriate treatment plan.

Pain in your shoulder or knee joints may be present due to conditions affecting your muscles, tendons, ligaments or the joint itself. Pain is one of the most frequent symptoms in such cases but also weakness and joint instability may be experienced. Such conditions may include; Rotator Cuff Tear, Tendinosis, Ligamentous tears and others.

How our Advanced Diagnostic Technologies can help you

Appropriate testing performed at HODS Approved Diagnostic Centers can evaluate the condition of your muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints and identify the location of the problem, the severity as well as the prognosis for your condition. These tests may include Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSKUS), Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), Electromyography (EMG) and Neuro-Ultrasound. These are valuable data that your physician and your physical therapist can use to manage your condition more effectively and prescribe for you the most appropriate treatment plan.

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