The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia

Our Services

FONAR Upright MRI
We have complemented our existing leading edge diagnostic equipment with an in-house MRI. The unique design of the FONAR Upright MRI enables us to image patients while sitting, standing or reclining. When in this MRI, patients have an unobstructed view ahead decreasing the sense of confinement common to traditional and other open MRI scanners. You can even watch television while having the scan done. The diagnostic abilities of this machine will provide our physicians with the images needed to better treat you!

Referrng Physicians:  Outside physicians wishing to schedule a patient for an MRI at The Orthopaedic Center may do so by calling us at (434) 485-8521 or by completing  the MRI Request Form and faxing it to (434) 485-8599, Attn: MRI Team.
 

 

Bone Density Test (DXA Scan)

Specialized tests called bone mineral density (BMD) tests can measure bone density in various sites of the body.  Experts recommend a type of BMD test using a central DXA (which stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry).

A BMD test performed by a central DXA can:

  • Tell if a person has low bone density before a fracture occurs
  • Tell if a person’s bones are losing bone density or staying the same when the test is repeated at intervals of one year or more
  • Predict the chances that a person will have a fracture in the future
  • Help a person and his or her healthcare provider decide if treatment is needed

Who should be tested?

  • Postmenopausal woman generally every 2 years
  • A man age 50-70 with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis
  • A man age 70 or older, even without any risk factors
  • Anyone who has broken a bone with minimal trauma, such as a ground level fall
  • People who have used certain medications long-term including steroids 

Interventional Procedure Suite
Our Interventional Procedure Suite allows us to offer on-site treatments, which include:

Epidurals/Nerve Blocks:  The dura is a fluid filled sack that protects the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.  The space around the dura is called the “epidural space.”  Anytime medicine is put into this space, it is called an “epidural.”  Epidurals can be used to treat spine pain and/or can pinpoint the area of pain.         

Facet injections:  The facet joint is a thumbnail size joint located in pairs between each bone of your spine.  Lumbar facet injection is a procedure to diagnose or treat back pain from the facet joints.  Anesthetic and steroid medications are injected into the joint.

Rhizotomy:  A rhizotomy is a treatment to reduce pain from facet joints.  Radiofrequency energy is used to heat and destroy the nerves going to the facet joints to reduce the pain coming from these joints.

Additional Services Include:

  • Electromyography/Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS)
  • Durable Medical Equipment
  • Custom Orthotics
  • More to come Summer 2012...