Diagnostic Testing

Question 1

Strain

Answer 1

• Muscle Tear
  ~ 1-3 grades
  > Grade 1: some fibers torn
  > Grade 2: nearly half torn
  > Grade 3: all fibers torn
  ~ ROM can test for degree and strength

Question 2

Contusion

Answer 2

• Bruise
  ~ 1-3 Grades
  > Grade 1: minor rupture of capillaries
  > Grade 2: moderate rupture of
  capillaries
  > Grade 3: major rupture of capillaries
  ~ ROM can test for degree
  ~ Stretching can alleviate

Question 3

Sprain

Answer 3

• Ligament Tear
  ~ 1-3 Grades
  > Grade 1: small tear
  > Grade 2: incomplete tear
  > Grade 3: complete tear
  ~ Ligamentous and Capsular testing

Question 4

Fracture

Answer 4

• Deformity on bone
  ~ Point tenderness
  ~ Localized swelling
  ~ Loss of function
  ~ Many different types

Question 5

Radiography (X-Ray)

Answer 5

• Dense structures will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be gray
• Very good at imaging just bone
• Uses:
  ~ Fractures, dislocations, or other bone
  abnormalities
• Pros:
  ~ Readily available, cheap, good
  resolution
• Cons:
  ~ A lot of radiation
  ~ Not good for soft tissues

Question 6

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)

Answer 6

• Thin fan shaped x-ray that produces cross sectional views of tissues
• Pros:
  ~ Excellent resolution of bone and soft
  tissue
• Cons:
  ~ Cost
  ~ Radiation

Question 7

Myelography

Answer 7

• X-ray for the nervous system!
• Dye injected into epidural space of lumbar
• Pros:
  ~ Images nerve roots, intervertebral
  discs, and spinal cord
• Cons:
  ~ Headache
  ~ Dizziness
  ~ Seizures
  ~ Nausea/Vomiting

Question 8

Fluoroscopy

Answer 8

• X-ray video, not a snap shot like a traditional x-ray
• Radiographic imaging of fluorescent screen
• Pros:
  ~ Convenient
  ~ Portable
  ~ Requires minimal training
  ~ Allows for body parts to move during
  imaging
• Cons:
  ~ Higher radiation than regular X-ray
  ~ Poor soft tissue imaging

Question 9

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Answer 9

• High frequency sound waves that bounce off of structures and return to the device
• The depth and shape of structures are determined by amount of time the sound wave takes to return
• Images soft tissue
• Pros:
  ~ No radiation
  ~ Can take moving images
  ~ Can be localized
• Cons:
  ~ Limited resolution and depth
  ~ Small viewing field
  ~ Lack of bone imaging
  ~ Good skills are required for good
  images

Question 10

Bone Scan

Answer 10

• Radioactive compound is injected or ingested and collects where there’s high activity in bone
• Body is then scanned with a radioactive device: Gamma Camera
• Pros:
  ~ Good at imaging stress fractures, bone
  infection, and tumors
  ~ Minimal risk
• Cons:
  ~ Doesn’t identify type of abnormality in
  bone

Question 11

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 11

• Magnetic field that causes the body’s hydrogen atoms to align
• Once removed, atoms return to normal and vibrate
• Detects this energy and converts it to images
• Pros:
  ~ Good resolution of all tissues from
  many different angles and depths
  ~ No adverse affects
• Cons
  ~ Cost
  ~ No metal on or in patient

Question 12

Arthrography

Answer 12

• Air, contrast material containing iodine is injected into a joint space
• Images taken include X-ray, CT Scan, and MRI
• Pros:
  ~ Good visualization of soft tissue
  structures in and around joint

Question 13

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 13

• Records electrical activity in the brain and detects changes or abnormalities

Question 14

Electromyography (EMG)

Answer 14

• Records electrical activity in muscle during contraction and nerve conduction for abnormalities

Question 15

Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)

Answer 15

• Records the speed it takes for a muscle to contract after peripheral nerve stimulation to detect abnormalities

Question 16

Blood Culture

Answer 16

• Test used to identify bacteria, fungus, or virus in blood stream
  ~ Feces
  ~ Salvia
  ~ Urine
  ~ Blood
  ~ Wounds