Professional diagnostics I ENANDE

X-ray images of the front and side are essential if complaints have persisted for more than two weeks. Special imaging, such as oblique images, functional images and bending images remain reserved for specific questions. The x-rays provide information on bone quality, can reveal instability and allow indirect conclusions about the state of the intervertebral discs.

If pain persists for over four weeks, magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice once x-rays have been taken. The condition of the discs and the assessment of the width of the spinal cord are key factors in the evaluation. Specific signal constellations also allow for an assessment of the cause of the respective changes. Consequently, inflammatory or tumor induced changes can usually be distinguished from degenerative changes. Furthermore, the condition of the facet joints and the degree of degeneration of the muscles can be assessed.

The myelography is a special x-ray examination. After introducing a contrast agent into the spinal canal while under fluoroscopy, images in different body postures are taken. Thus conclusions on various functional states of the spine are possible. For example, the narrowing of the spinal canal in response to the current position of the body can be estimated. The investigation is often supplemented by a so-called postmyelography- cat scan.

Since the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging, the cat-scan (computed tomography) as an individual examination plays an insignificant role in the diagnosis of degenerative diseases of the spine and is only performed in certain exceptional cases.