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This form of imaging uses a low dose of radioactive material (technetium) to show up abnormalities in bones.
The technetium is injected into a vein and it quickly flows around your body. It is taken up by inflamed, rapidly growing or healing bones. It is flushed from the body quite rapidly, so these abnormal areas of bone can be detected by a special camera called a gamma camera, which can pick up this very feint radioactivity.
3 scans are usually performed. The first is done very soon after the injection and is designed to see where the blood flow is. A second scan is done soon after this and is designed to show up increased blood flow to areas of inflamed bone. The third scan is done some time later (up to 3 hours) and is designed to show up abnormal bone activity, such as healing fractures, joint arthritis, bone tumours, etc.
The scan is not painful apart from the injection. The dose of radiation is less than a CT scan of the abdomen or spine ( approximately 1/3rd).
This form of investigation is highly useful in picking up abnormalities that x-rays, ultrasound and CT scanning cannot detect. It is very valuable in diagnosing stress fractures, bone tumours, bone and joint infections, fractures too small to see on x-ray etc.
It is our belief that correct treatment requires an accurate diagnosis. The commencement of treatment to an injury without knowing the diagnosis goes against our ideals.
To enable the best form of treatment available, we utilise the services of a wide variety of like-minded health professionals with a special interest in sports medicine.
It is vitally important that you are actively involved in the decision making about your own care.
We are very keen to avoid doing anything to people that would cause harm. Whilst some treatments will have inherent risks, there are other treatments where the risk is unacceptable and will not be offered.