Posted on 06/03/2023 6:07:29 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A team of doctors, nurses and medical researchers affiliated with multiple institutions in Australia has found that ultrasound devices can serve as reliable diagnostic tools for children presenting symptoms of distal forearm fracture. In their study, the group tested the use of ultrasound devices in diagnosing arm fractures in children.
Prior research has shown that distal forearm fractures (broken bones in the part of the forearm nearest to the wrist) are among the most common injuries to children reported by emergency room personnel.
Prior research has also shown that many parents are concerned about exposing their children to the high energy, short wavelength electromagnetic waves emitted by X-ray machines—particularly if their child is accident prone. In this new effort, the research team tested the possibility of using ordinary ultrasound machines rather than X-ray machines to diagnose such fractures.
The team tracked the treatment and outcomes for 270 children between the ages of five and 15 who were brought to an emergency room with pain in their distal forearm. The children were randomly assigned to one of two groups.
Children in one group were given ultrasound tests. If the test proved negative, the child was sent home with instructions for care. If the test was positive, it was then confirmed with X-ray testing and treatment. The second group was tested using only X-ray machines and treated based on the results. All of the children were contacted at one, four and eight weeks after diagnosis to see how well their injuries were healing.
The research team found no difference in outcomes between the two groups. Because ultrasound testing can be done right away, that emergency rooms were less crowded. They note that ultrasound testing costs much less than X-ray testing and does not require certification for personnel.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I’d think it would hurt like heck having that rubbing over a broken bone.
Just like they can use MRI often instead of CT scan but opt for CT because quicker and cheaper- radiation be damned. I rarely see docs takes radiation into consideration. Instead they say bs stuff like it’s the same amount exposed to had you been on a flight to Europe. Yet that exposure on a flight is concentrated all on one body part and within a millisecond intensity.
“Just like they can use MRI often instead of CT scan but opt for CT because quicker and cheaper- radiation be damned. I rarely see docs takes radiation into consideration.”
To my great surprise, a physiatrist (a minimally-invasive spine & rehabilitative medicine sub-specialist) I saw for the first time a few weeks ago actually included that in the list of why he preferred MRIs vs more radiation-emitting imaging methods.
Makes perfect sense to me!
I’d say so.
I had a green stick break in my left forearm when I was 10. It hurt without anyone touching me. I can’t imagine someone putting pressure on the area, except the doctor probably did, gently though.
I’ll never forget it. His name was Dr. Hammer. I really thought he was going to show up with one. So glad he didn’t!
Modern x-ray machines give excellent results with a great deal less dose. They use CMOS sensors for the imaging instead of exposing film. I worked in nuke and radiation effects for decades, on a x-ray machine that horrified some 3rd world doctors when I sent them a picture. Wore my badge and never got a measurable dose.
“does not require certification for personnel.”
I’ve had ultrasound tests and I assumed the testers had some kind of certification. It seems more complicated than an x-ray.
And I can tell you from previous, excruciatingly painful experience, that an x-ray is only as good as the radiologist reading it...
Looks to me like it’s a way to cut down on radiologist costs...
“Looks to me like it’s a way to cut down on radiologist costs..”
Yes. Not a bad thing.
“Does this hurt?” and giving it a good wiggle usually work well too.
Keep your doc...a good one!
Keep your doc...a good one!
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