Vertebral Motion Analysis
Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) is an innovative, breakthrough imaging technique that has vastly improved the diagnostic accuracy of the standard X-ray. As opposed to older, less effective methods of diagnosing problems in the spine and neck, the VMA provides the first functional test that allows assessment of spinal motion for instability. This imaging technique provides a video X-ray of your spine in various bent positions so as to detect abnormalities, such as a slipped vertebral disk, within the vertebrae. The VMA is particularly useful when trying to observe spinal instabilities that may not be visible with still X-rays. VMA testing can provide more accurate diagnoses of back and neck pain by showing real-time images of these areas in the process of bending, making it easier to observe inconsistencies in the lumbar spine and cervical spine.
If you are experiencing back or neck pain and feel you may need a digital X-ray, please reach out to our courteous and compassionate staff at Primero Med. We offer an array of advanced imaging technology and can help determine which method best suits your needs. Call (888) 360-8538 today to schedule a consultation.
The Process of Vertebral Motion Analysis
With the induction of the VMA, more reliable data concerning motion assessment allows your healthcare professional to locate the source of pain or discomfort in the spine, and make more informed surgical decisions about your condition. The process begins with the patient stepping into the machine’s testing field. From there, a motion machine gently guides you through a series of spine bending sequences while a technologist takes video. The spine bending routines should not cause any discomfort, but there is a “stop” button that can be pressed at any time to halt testing if you do begin to feel pain.
These videos are composed of hundreds of X-ray images of the spine in the process of bending, which can be coordinated with any potential pain the patient is feeling. The videos are then processed by special computer software that returns measurements, proven to give a more accurate and precise diagnostic report. Benefits of VMA over traditional X-rays include:
- Provides important information that an X-ray might miss
- Can detect spinal motion in real-time
- Emits less radiation than a standard X-ray
- More sensitive and reproducible when detecting instability
- Less manual labor, as the machine gently guides you
Contact a Diagnostic Imaging Center
If you or someone you know are experiencing back or neck pain and think you may benefit from a spinal assessment, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff at Primero Med. Call (888) 360-8538 to begin scheduling your appointment.