Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Question 1

electromyogram (EMG)

Answer 1

a neurodiagnostic graphic record of the electrical activity of muscle at rest and during contraction to diagnose neuromusculoskeletal disorders (like muscular dystrophy); usually performed by a neurologist

Question 2

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 2

a nonionizing imaging technique using magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to visualize anatomical structures– useful in orthopedics to detect joint, tendon, and vertebral disk disorders

Question 3

nuclear medicine, radionuclide organ imaging

Answer 3

ionizing imaging technique using radioactive isotopes

Question 4

bone scan

Answer 4

radionuclide image of bone tissue to detect tumor, malignancy, etc

Question 5

radiography (x-ray)

Answer 5

x-ray imaging; an ionizing technique commonly used in orthopedics to visualize the extremities, ribs, back, shoulder, joints, etc

Question 6

arthrogram

Answer 6

an x-ray of a joint taken after injection of a contrast medium

Question 7

diskogram

Answer 7

an x-ray of an intervertebral disk after injection of a contrast medium

Question 8

duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Answer 8

an x-ray scan that measures bone mineral density of the spine and extremities to diagnose osteoporosis, determine fracture risk, and monitor treatment; classifications of bone mass include normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic as indicated by a T score (bone mass in the patient compared to normal)

Question 9

computed tomography (CT), computed axial tomography (CAT)

Answer 9

a specialized x-ray procedure producing a series of cross-sectional images that are processed by a computer into a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional image

Question 10

sonography

Answer 10

ultrasound imaging; a nonionizing technique useful in orthopedics to visualize muscles, ligaments, displacements, and dislocations or to guide a therapeutic intervention such as that performed during arthroscopy