The discovery of X-rays and their potential were nothing short of a medical breakthrough. When Rontgen, almost accidentally, discovered how it was possible to look at one’s skeleton and capture the images on sheets of film in 1895; it changed medicine and orthopedic management forever. From there it was a few short years that the first diagnostic imaging center was established in Glasgow.
Of course these were rather clunky machines requiring high levels of radiations to produce images; but by the 1970s we’d taken the first steps toward digital radiography (DR). With the greater portability, compactness, and lower levels of radiation of DR, orthopedic diagnosis became much simpler than ever before. This effect was the most apparent for orthopedic trauma and diagnostic centers. Nowadays, , with the use of digital X-ray, data management has become a core component of medical care.
Although it’s obvious why X-ray could change the face of orthopedic and musculoskeletal treatments, it’s still amazing how technology like DR systems have melded so easily into orthopedic care.
Why is DR so Great for Orthopedics?
Whether you’re looking at a fracture, sprain, dislocation or a shattered bone; the basic principles of orthopedic first aid and even treatment includes immobilizing the patient. In addition to this, there is always the risk of bone disunions and the difficulty in identifying how the damage is. Even hairline fractures can be intensely painful for patients.
The image enhancement capabilities built into modern digital imaging equipment allow healthcare providers to develop better treatment options. The improved image quality and the portability of DR systems has made healthcare a lot more accessible to patients while reducing risk and injury exacerbation. Since diagnostic practices involve obtaining thorough information to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan, the improvement in image quality offered by digital radiography has made information extraction much more fruitful. The diagnostic process has become more concrete than just investigative or speculative. With these improvements, patient care has become much more effective.
In addition to this increased treatment efficacy, DR systems have brought down radiation exposure during imaging down 1500 times compared to conventional, film-based radiography. This reduction makes the procedure much safer for people.
When the capabilities of DR systems are combined with the development of comprehensive patient directories with DICOM systems, it becomes clear that healthcare has structurally evolved. We can now truly claim that healthcare has been carried into the future with these developments.
ExamVue is a provider of imaging solutions for healthcare professionals. We specialize in developing digital imaging for orthopedists, flat panel detectors for digital radiography and X-ray imaging software. Get in touch with us today for more information on their services.
