Fractures
A fracture is defined as a broken bone which can range from a hairline crack to a more complex compound fracture. There are fractures resulting from trauma as in the case of car accidents or sports injuries. The other type of fracture is called a stress fracture. This occurs from the application of repetitive force on a certain bone as in the case of hip fracture in the elderly or a professional dancer.
Fractures don’t always present in an obvious manner that simply requires a cast and six weeks of inactivity. Hip fractures, cervical fractures, spinal fractures and fractures in the foot or hand can remain undetected, even with the use of X-Ray.
CT scan or MRI might be necessary to detect hairline fractures and to image more complex fractures to assist the treating physician to properly stabilize the area and avoid further damage.
Osteoporosis – loss of bone density – is often the cause of fractures and resulting falls in the elderly. MRI, CT scan and Bone Scan in our Beverly Hills Imaging facility is fast and convenient.