When you see a provider at The Center for pain or an injury, your exam will often start with questions to understand your medical history.
When you see a provider at The Center for pain or an injury, your exam will often start with questions to understand your medical history. After a thorough physical evaluation, your provider may order diagnostic imaging to evaluate and confirm the location of any damage that may be causing your symptoms. This may include:
The Center no longer uses the outdated practice of shielding patients with a lead apron during exams which utilize radiation, including X-rays. Following Oregon Health Authority guidelines, we now know that advances in technology and knowledge have made patient shielding a practice that introduces more risk than benefit.
With advances in technology, and a better understanding of radiation, medical experts now know that the best way to keep patients safe during imaging exams is to not use shields. This is true regardless of a patient’s age, sex, or pregnancy status.
Changing this decades-old practice is not easy. We understand that some patients have come to expect a lead apron during an x-ray, however, there is no evidence that shielding benefits patient health and it may impair the quality of the imaging.
To help you gain a better understanding of this change, you can read the brochure created by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and the Informational Bulletin regarding gonadal shielding issued by the Oregon Health Authority.
The Center provides digital X-rays at our Neff Road clinic, Redmond clinic, Old Mill District clinic, and Shevlin Health and Wellness Center clinic. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is available at our Neff Road clinic. If referred for an MRI, The Center Imaging offers advanced imaging in a comfortable, modern environment. Our highly trained and compassionate staff has the experience and training to serve you, no matter the orthopedic injury or condition you may be experiencing. They work in partnership with you and your doctor to ensure the highest quality image and experience. The Center Imaging is located at 2200 NE Neff Road on the lower level. For more information about MRI services, please call 541-330-8681.
