Digital
Motion X-Ray (DMX) is simply a new type of fluoro-based x-ray
system, coupled with new digital and optic technology, allowing
clinicians to view the spine in real-time motion at 30 x-rays
per second. The procedure is performed with the patient standing
and actively moving in a weight-bearing position within the
system.
Why
Patients Need Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX). You are sitting at
a red light waiting for it to change. All of a sudden, you hear
the sound of screeching tires and a loud crash. Your car jolts
forward and your neck whips backward then forward in a violent
motion. Youve just experienced a whiplash injury. You
are experiencing headaches and pain and stiffness in your neck.
You
go to your doctor complaining of neck pain and headache, so
he takes several static x-rays which, of course, are negative
because they are taken for three main reasons: to rule out fractures,
gross dislocations, and tumors. Good news, you didnt break
or dislocate your neck and you dont have any tumors, but
you still have headaches and neck pain. Next, they do an MRI
of your neck and it comes out negative. Your MRI was negative
because MRI looks at discs, but there are no discs in the upper
30 percent of your neck or in the back of your neck where your
headaches and neck pain originate. So the doctor sends you home
with some pain medication but no definitive diagnosis. Your
pain persists but no one can tell you why, and the insurance
company over time stops paying your medical bills because there
is no proof of your injury.
If
this scenario sounds all too familiar, you should have a digital
motion x-ray of your cervical spine. Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX)
uses advanced technology to detect ligament injuries that could
never be seen before because of the lack of motion. Static x-rays,
MRI and CT commonly miss injuries because you don't or can't
move for the exam. Digital motion x-ray is just the opposite.
It can find injuries that are evident only when you move. If
your pain increases with movement, common sense tells you that
your injuries should be examined "in motion." If you
are in pain after an accident and no one can tell you why, digital
motion x-ray may hold the answer you are looking for.