Diagnostic Techniques
To give you the best treatment, your doctor must correctly diagnose your injury or illness. After thoroughly studying your medical history and conducting a physical examination, we may need to order tests to precisely pinpoint both the cause and the extent of your injury or disorder.
Common tests
- Blood and urine samples may be used to assess muscle damage, detect gout and test for infections, inflammations and arthritis.
- Diagnostic injections, where a local anesthetic is injected into the injured area to eliminate pain, can isolate the exact location of pain-causing compressions and distinguish between impingement (squeezing or compressing) syndromes and tears.
- Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis), where a sample of fluid is removed with a needle, can help identify the cause of inflammation. More information.
Imaging techniques may be used, especially when you have:
- Pain that lasts more than a month
- Very severe pain, numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Injuries that involve the spine
- A fever
- A history of disease that could produce your current symptoms
Imaging techniques are non-invasive or minimally-invasive.
Treatment Techniques
No one likes the idea of being on medications for years. Neither are they eager for surgery. Our philosophy is to carefully work through the pros and cons of alternative treatments with you. We’ll always recommend the least invasive procedure that can still deliver optimal mobility and pain relief over the long term.