University Diagnostic Institute

Have You Found Our Recent Blog Topics Helpful? Explore Even Deeper With These Great Links!

If you’ve found our recent blog topics about Open MRI technology and meniscus tears informative, you might appreciate some of these resources gathered from around the Web. If you’re looking for the highest standard in medical imaging technology in the Orlando area, call University Diagnostic Institute at (321) 282-3742!

• For more information on the science behind MRIs and how they take images of the inside of the body, check out this guide from HowStuffWorks.com—you will learn all about the inner workings of the MRI.
• To learn more about what an Open MRI is and how these machines differ from traditional, tube-shaped MRIs, check out WebMD.com.
• For more details about meniscus tears and how they are caused, read this article at MedicineNet.com.
• If you have questions about the “RICE” method, which could be all it takes to treat your minor meniscus tear, then let About.com Orthopedics guide you through the steps that this acronym stands for.
• This information brought to you by the US National Library of Medicine provides even more details about meniscus tears, their symptoms, and first aid measures you should take if you face one.

Understanding How an MRI Works

The MRI has become the staple of modern medical imaging technology. By taking clear and detailed pictures of the tissues inside the human body, the MRI has helped millions of people diagnose their internal medical problems without the need for invasive methods. But how does this amazing medical imaging technology work?

In this short and informative video, MRI pioneer Howard Hart walks you through the basic science of how an MRI works. Watch this video to learn how magnets function in magnetic resonance imaging and what’s making all of those clicking and clanking noises when you’re in the MRI machine.

If you’re in Orlando and are looking for the most professional and advanced MRI services, come visit University Diagnostic Institute. We specialize in medical imaging and diagnostic technologies. Call us at (321) 282-3742.

Understanding and Treating Meniscus Tears

Your knees are one of the largest and most used joints in your body. With so many important pieces and parts, your knees are also highly prone to injury. Tearing your meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. If an x-ray or MRI has confirmed that you’ve torn your meniscus, taking a moment to understand meniscus tears will help you and your doctor craft an informed, educated treatment plan that will get you back on your feet again.

What is a Meniscus Tear?

Your menisci are your body’s natural “shock absorbers,” which cushion and support the different bones that come together to make up your knee. Because these load-bearing strips of cartilage get so much use in your life, they risk the possibility of tearing. While this is most common in the elderly and those who perform high-contact sports, anybody can face a meniscus tear. Because meniscus tears share many common symptoms with other sources of knee pain, your doctor might order an MRI to get a clear and definitive look at the soft tissues inside of your knee.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Some minor meniscus tears will not require surgical treatment. If your tear fails to penetrate deep into the meniscus, all your body may need in order to heal is the “RICE” method of recovery: rest, ice, compression, elevate. An MRI will reveal if your tear is minor enough to avoid needing surgery.

Surgical Treatment

If your MRI results show a deep meniscus tear, your doctor might recommend surgery. Deep tears in the meniscus mean that the cartilage will lack the ability to heal itself. While not always the case, this can mean limited knee function for the rest of your life. Talk with your doctor to best determine if knee surgery is the right choice for you.

If you’re in the Orlando area and are trying to determine if your knee pain is the result of a meniscus tear, come into University Diagnostic Institute for a MRI. Offering the most advanced medical imaging technologies to Orlando residents, we can help you and your doctor diagnose your torn meniscus. Call us at (321) 282-3742.

Who Is A Good Candidate for An Open MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging, more commonly known as an MRI, is one of the most efficient imagining technologies available in today’s medical world. An MRI can give doctors a clear picture of what’s going on inside of the body, using magnets to take photographs of tissues and organs beyond the scope of a traditional X-ray. For those who have ever had an MRI performed, you probably remember spending a lot of time holding still in a round, noisy, relatively constricting tube of machinery. But with advances in modern medical imaging, there are now alternatives to this common closed-bore system. Here are some candidates that might prefer a newer, less constrictive Open MRI:

Patients with Claustrophobia

If you suffer from the fear of narrow or tight and closed spaces, don’t let your claustrophobia keep you from getting the medical imaging services you need. With an Open MRI, your important medical images will be taken in a more spacious set of machinery than the traditional MRI “donut.”

Children

Children might also have a hard time standing still in a traditional MRI machine, which commonly restricts the patient’s range of view and can make the patient, especially if the patient is a young child, scared and nervous. For this reason, your child might be more comfortable in an Open MRI machine, which allows them to see their surroundings and know that everything is okay.

Large Individuals

People come in all shapes and sizes, and your size should not hinder your access to clear and sharp medical images. Mainstream MRI designs can pose a problem for some large patients. With an Open MRI, obese patients and other large individuals can get the clear and sharp medical images they need to be screened, diagnosed, or treated properly.

If you’re in Orlando and think you’re a candidate for an Open MRI or any other medical imaging procedure, visit University Diagnostic Institute. We provide residents of Orlando a range of medical diagnostic technologies, from MRIs to CT scans. Call us at (321) 282-3742 to speak with our qualified staff and determine if an Open MRI is the best option for you!

Learn More About The Importance Of Medical Diagnostic Imaging With These Links

Are you still looking to find out more about preventing the affects of osteoporosis?  Click through the helpful resources below or contact the staff of University Diagnostic Institute at (321) 282-3742 for more information.

• The CT scan is one of the most efficient diagnostic imaging technologies available to evaluate detailed structures in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis. Visit RadiologyInfo.org to learn more about the uses of CT and what to expect from the exam.
• You can also read about the uses of computed tomography (CT) to visualize the body’s structures from this article on WebMD.com.
• Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Check out this article from the Mayo Clinic website to learn more about your possible risk factors.
• Caring for your bones should be at the top of your wellness list. The National Osteoporosis Foundation describes the reasons why on their website.
• DEXA is an important part of detecting and managing osteoporosis. This article found on MedicineNet.com answers many frequently asked questions regarding the DEXA scan and how it is used to measure bone mineral density.