Musculoskeletal Conditions

The musculoskeletal system forms the foundation of movement in the human body. It is a complex network of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage working together to help you to walk, run, bend, and perform everyday activities.

When any part of this system is injured or diseased, it can cause significant pain, stiffness, and limitations in your daily life. The most common musculoskeletal conditions include fractures, arthritis, cartilage tears, and more.

At Tellica Imaging, we understand the impact that such musculoskeletal conditions can have on your quality of life. We offer a variety of advanced imaging modalities and a patient-centered approach. Tellica Imaging is committed to providing you with the diagnostic tools you need to get an accurate diagnosis and begin the path to recovery from your musculoskeletal condition.

Common Musculoskeletal Conditions

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.7 billion people globally live with musculoskeletal conditions, making them the leading contributor to disability worldwide.

These conditions can affect people of all ages and include a wide range of issues, from debilitating injuries like fractures to chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. While some conditions, like osteoarthritis, are more common with age, others, like sports injuries, can strike at any time.

Regardless of the specific condition, musculoskeletal disorders can significantly impact daily life, limiting mobility, reducing dexterity, and causing pain. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing these conditions effectively and maintaining a good quality of life.

Let us look at some of the most commonly seen musculoskeletal conditions.

Fractures

A fracture is a disruption in the continuity of a bone, often resulting from trauma, excessive force, or underlying bone conditions like osteoporosis. The severity of fractures can vary widely, from subtle hairline cracks to complex breaks involving multiple bone fragments.

In case of a fracture, you may experience symptoms like severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty using the affected limb.

Types of fracture include:

Closed (simple) fractures: The bone breaks but the skin remains intact.
Open (compound) fractures: The broken bone punctures the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
Comminuted fractures: The bone shatters into multiple pieces.
Stress fractures: Tiny cracks caused by repetitive stress, commonly seen in athletes.
Greenstick fractures: Incomplete breaks where the bone bends but doesn't fully separate, often occurring in children.
Oblique fractures: The fracture line runs diagonally across the bone.
Transverse fractures: The fracture line is perpendicular to the bone's long axis.
Spiral fractures: The fracture line twists around the bone, often caused by rotational force.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of conditions characterized by joint inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While over 100 types of arthritis exist, some of the most common include:

Osteoarthritis (OA): This degenerative joint disease is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, the protective tissue at the ends of bones. It commonly affects weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, and spine. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disorder, RA causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It can affect multiple joints simultaneously, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and potentially joint deformity.
Gout: A type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, often affecting the big toe. It causes sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling.
Psoriatic arthritis: This inflammatory arthritis affects people with psoriasis, which is a skin condition. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as changes in the skin and nails.

Cartilage Tears

The cartilage is a smooth, resilient tissue that acts as a cushion between the ends of bones in joints. It enables smooth body movement and absorbs shock. Cartilage tears, often resulting from injuries or degenerative changes, can cause significant pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function.

Common locations for cartilage tears include:

Knees: The meniscus, a C-shaped cartilage, is susceptible to tears due to twisting or rotational forces.
Shoulders: The labrum, a rim of cartilage around the shoulder socket, can tear due to overuse or trauma.
Ankles: The cartilage within the ankle joint can be damaged by injury or repetitive stress.

Symptoms of cartilage tears may include pain, swelling, clicking or popping sensations, joint locking, and instability.

Imaging for Musculoskeletal Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions often relies on advanced imaging techniques like CT scans and MRIs. At Tellica Imaging, we offer a range of advanced imaging techniques that provide significant benefits for diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions.

Our imaging scans provide high-resolution, detailed images of your bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues, allowing providers to visualize even subtle abnormalities. This means our imaging tests can identify details such as hairline fractures, inflamed tendons, or torn ligaments, leading to a more accurate diagnosis.

We prioritize your comfort throughout the imaging process. Our team of experienced technologists and board-certified radiologists ensure high-quality scans and accurate interpretations. Additionally, we offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs and work with most major insurance plans.

We offer advanced imaging services specifically designed to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions.

Tellica Imaging’s CT Scans for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Our musculoskeletal and spine CT scans provide a comprehensive 3D view of your musculoskeletal structures, offering invaluable insights into bone and soft tissue structures.

CT scans are particularly effective in diagnosing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Complex fractures
Bone tumors
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis

Tellica Imaging’s MRIs for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Our musculoskeletal MRI scans offer a non-invasive means to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. They generate images of exceptional clarity that help in the diagnosis of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

Detect damage to cartilage, such as the meniscus in the knee or the labrum in the shoulder.
Assess the extent of sprains, strains, and tears in connective tissues like ligaments and tendons.
Identify muscle tears and inflammation.
Visualize bulging or ruptured discs that may compress nerves.

Schedule Imaging Tests for Musculoskeletal Conditions with Tellica Imaging

The musculoskeletal system is a complex and intricate network that enables our bodies to move and function. When faced with pain, stiffness, or limitations in movement, seeking an accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial.

At Tellica Imaging, our commitment to patient care and technological excellence ensures that you receive the highest quality diagnostic imaging for your musculoskeletal condition.

Our staff is dedicated to creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for every patient. Additionally, our upfront and transparent pricing eliminates surprise bills, ensuring you can focus on your health.

Visit us at any of our convenient locations and our friendly staff will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, call us to schedule an imaging test at any of our locations.