Galesburg Orthopedics' MRI System
Galesburg Orthopedics has acquired a revolutionary Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, E-SCAN, designed for those patients who find standard MRI systems to be too confining, noisy or intimidating. MRI offers a valuable tool to our orthopedic surgeons, essentially providing a window into the human body without using potentially harmful X-Rays or invasive techniques.
The new E-SCAN Open MRI system is designed specifically for imaging the extremities (shoulder, knee,ankle, wrist, elbow, hand, foot) and produces images of equal or better quality to whole-body MRI
systems. E-SCAN provides a stress-free MRI examination. The patient lies comfortably outside the magnet and extends only the anatomy being studied into the magnet. Since the E-SCAN takes images through clothing, the body part does not need to be exposed. The exam is virtually silent and completely claustrophobia-free. The entire process is safe and painless, lasting usually from 30 – 60 minutes.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered non-invasive and it offers fewer risks than some diagnostic alternatives. The MRI system uses radio waves and magnetism rather than x-ray to create images of the humananatomy. An MRI allows physicians to view all soft tissue surrounding your bones and joints. MR images enable doctors to make more precise diagnoses of ailments such as ligament and tendon tears, meniscus tears in the knee androtator cuff tears in the shoulder to name just a few.
The new E-SCAN system features an open magnet design that combines a spacious exam environment with the ability to provide images so detailed that they approach the fine-lineanatomical drawings found in medical textbooks.
These images are of such amazing clarity and detail that our physicians are able to pinpoint a number of problems that can occur in the extremities. The addition of an E-SCAN system complements and extends the range of high quality diagnostic services already available to the residents of our community.
The new MRI system also helps reduce the cost of your healthcare. In the past, the benefits of MRI have come with a steep price tag, patients have to wait several days or even weeks to schedule an exam and wait even longer for the results to be interpreted. This results in patients waiting longer for diagnosis and ultimately treatment. The costs attributed to patients being out of work longer and waiting for treatment are paid by increased insurance premiums.
“E-SCAN reduces the time a patient waits for treatment,” said Jeannette Farrow, our Business Manager. “We can examine, MRI scan and typically begin treatment on the first visit to our office. Patients no longer have to go across town and wait a week or more to begin treatment. We can get patients back to work faster, with less anxiety and typically at a lower cost.”
Further information regarding the new scanner can be obtained by calling Galesburg Orthopedic Services at 309-342-0194.
Date Published: 2004-07-06
