"Should I Get A Motion X-ray After I Have Been In A Car Accident?"

One of the many things that differentiate Bellevue Whiplash Center at Back in Action Chiropractic is our use of video motion x-ray. Video motion x-ray is much what it sounds like... a moving, real time x-ray of your bones. When a patient comes to see us that has been in a car accident we do a thorough history, exam, and x-rays and if indicated we also do motion x-ray. Below is a short list of some of the reasons we may take a motion x-ray to further assess our patients injury's.

1. Suspected Persistent Intersegmental Joint Dysfunction
   
2. Inconclusive Intersegmental Joint Dysfunction via X-ray / CT / MRI
   
3. Headache, Dizziness or Blurred Vision
   
4. Pain increased with Movement
   
5. Increased pain and clicking on opening and closing of the jaw.
   
6. Confirm Ligamentous Instability in the upper 30% of the cervical spine, which is supported by ligaments only and contains no discs. (Alar-Accessory-Transverse Ligaments)
   
7. Confirm Ligamentous Instability to the complete cervical spine in flexion-extension views.  (Anterior Longitudinal Ligament, Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, Inter-spinous Ligament, and Compression Fractures)
   
8. Confirm ligamentous instability at facet joints in flexion-extension oblique views.  (Capsular Ligaments)
   
9. Confirm referred pain syndrome from capsular ligamentous injury.  (Scleratomal Pain)
   
10. Confirm Swallowing difficulty or complaint of swelling in the throat.
    

Doing a motion x-ray will allow us to discover hidden injury's and give our patients the most complete picture of their injury's, which most importantly, gives us the best understanding of the appropriate care plan to help them get better.

photo credit: Neck x-ray via photopin (license)