We are excited to offer Spine Motion Imaging Technology
Frisco Spine has the region’s only “real time” x-ray to view spinal motion — known as Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA). Vertebral Motion Analysis, or VMA, is an FDA-cleared system for assessing lumbar and cervical spinal motion. It is an updated method of assessing spinal motion compared to the standard flexion/extension bending x-rays that are currently used to assess spinal motion, including instability.
Castle Hills Location
1700 FM 544, Ste 100,
Lewisville, TX 75056
ph (972) 396-4600
If you or someone are experiencing back or neck pain, you may benefit from a spinal assessment, don’t hesitate to contact our facilities today!
Until recently, spine surgeons have relied upon archaic and old-fashioned x-rays to guide their decisions on whether the patient should undergo surgery for excess movement in their spine. The forward bending (flexion) and backward bending (extension) x-ray have been the mainstay of evidence for spinal instability surgery. These are single pictures taken at one moment in time with the patient being asked to voluntarily bend past their painful point in an attempt to “catch” the bones in misalignment. Most patient’s will “cheat” and bend until they feel pain then move their hips forward or backward to finish the motion. Unfortunately, this makes it very difficult for these x-rays to “catch” the disease state and guide the surgeon. Our unique VMA imaging takes an x-ray movie of the patient while the patient is gently guided through the forward and backward bending motions by the x-ray machine itself!
An advanced software analysis of the motion is then performed highlighting any levels of instability. This analysis is read by a Board Certified Diagnostic Radiologist and provided to the surgeon who can reliably make decisions about the need for surgery based on whether the spinal bones remained properly aligned with motion. This technology has been proven to be more sensitive and reproducible in determining instability requiring surgical fusion. One of the major advantages of this technology is that the radiation dose is lower than what the patient would be exposed to with a standard six view x-ray series, which has been the standard until now. VMA represents the future of functional spine imaging.
Frisco Spine is excited about being one of the first in the region to offer this new Spine Motion Imaging option. The VMA offers a new diagnostic tool that provides additional imaging data to surgeons, which may help him/her to locate the source of your spinal issues. It providse more accurate motion measurements to help surgeons in diagnosing your unique condition, which lead to surgeons choosing better treatment options.
The VMA motion imaging technology is a true game-changer! Your spine deserves the latest in imaging technology.