Yes, DMX uses very low levels of radiation, similar to a 7- view cervical X-ray. The amount of radiation is minimized due to the type of imaging technology. See our DMX Radiation page for more information.
Is DMX covered by my insurance?
Yes, most insurance companies cover at least a portion of the DMX imaging procedure. Currently, we do not bill health insurance on your behalf. We do give you a statement that can be submitted to your health insurance company for potential reimbursement. See Our Pricing page for more information.
Why is a Digital Motion X-ray more expensive than a regular x-ray?
The cost disparity between a Digital Motion X-ray (DMX) and a regular X-ray stems from the advanced nature of DMX imaging, aligning it with other specialized techniques such as Cervical MRI, CT scans, and Fluoroscopy. The equipment and time required for DMX evaluations are inherently more expensive to acquire and maintain compared to standard X-rays, contributing to the higher overall cost.
Is DMX only for the neck?
While DMX is primarily used for cervical studies of the neck, many have used DMX to evaluate TMJ syndrome, shoulders, knees, ankles, hips, elbows, wrist and hands. Due to the low radiation nature of the DMX, Lumbar studies maybe limited based on the size of the patient.
How long is a DMX evaluation?
Typically, each evaluation takes approximately 30 minutes. We allocate an hour to account for any potential challenges. We also conduct a review of your DMX to address any questions you may have.
Will I receive a copy of my DMX and report?
Absolutely! When we get your mensuration report from our reading doctor, you'll get a digital copy of your video and report. We'll also distribute copies to anyone you've given permission to on your HIPPA release portion of our intake forms. We suggest you keep your copy for sharing with other healthcare providers to prevent additional fees for retrieving and submitting records.
Do your reports include measurements?
Each cervical DMX we conduct at our facility comes with a mensuration analysis at no additional cost. We consider this report essential for a thorough cervical DMX evaluation, which is why it's part of our standard package. However, for extremity reports, a mensuration report isn't usually provided since measurements in these regions are generally not required.
Moving my neck hurts. Wouldn't imaging offering passive motion be better?
If moving your neck causes pain, imaging that involves passive motion could potentially be less painful as it would reduce the need for you to actively move your neck. However, the effectiveness of this approach depends on the specific condition being evaluated. Passive motion might not capture the dynamic stability and function of the neck as accurately as active motion, which is typically what DMX aims to assess.
For assessing the integrity of ligaments, it's more revealing to watch them function independently, providing a more accurate depiction of their actual capability. We'll minimize discomfort, but you'll need to go through your complete range of motion.
I sought an Independent Medical Examination (IME) provider's review of my DMX, and they asserted that the DMX offers no diagnostic benefit and exposes me to excessive radiation. Is this accurate?
The assertion by the IME provider that DMX provides no diagnostic benefit and exposes you to excessive radiation is incorrect. This claim could stem from two possibilities: either the IME isn't as impartial as claimed, or they're not well-versed in the specifics of DMX technology, often mistaking it for video fluoroscopy. From our experience, many IMEs are sincere but not knowledgeable about DMX, leading to such misunderstandings. we've successfully refuted these claims in legal contexts numerous times. They might be counting on patients, medical professionals, or legal representatives not to question their statements, but you shouldn't be misled.
Across the country, DMX has been instrumental in securing significant settlements. In many instances, DMX has been the only evidence that proves a real, permanent injury according to AMA standards. Insurance companies know this and may exploit your unfamiliarity with DMX to minimize payouts. Regardless of the IME's qualifications, this argument should be easily dismissed in court, supported by precedents nationwide. The fact is, DMX is considered the premier method for assessing ligamentous instability, as explained in the 'For the Doctor' section of our website.
I've heard that a DMX is effective for assessing ligament damage, but since x-rays don't display ligaments, wouldn't an MRI be a better option for visualizing ligaments?
MRIs excel in visualizing soft tissues like ligaments and are invaluable for identifying soft tissue pathology, providing detailed insights into the extent of ligament tears. However, their limitation lies in their inability to assess how well a ligament is stabilizing a joint.
Ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining joint stability during movement. While an MRI can show a torn ligament, it may not reveal whether the ligament is effectively stabilizing the joint. An overstretched ligament for example, though appearing normal on an MRI, could be failing in its role. Unlike MRIs, Digital Motion X-ray (DMX) uniquely allows patients to move through their full range of motion while images are captured. This dynamic capability sets DMX apart, providing a more accurate assessment of ligament stability by observing joint movement, which static imaging methods like MRIs cannot achieve.
Are joints slipping over others, as detected by regular X-rays and MRIs, indicative of ligament instability? If so, what's the necessity for a DMX?
While regular X-rays and MRIs may identify slippages that are assumed to indicate instability, the full extent remains unclear without observing the joint in full motion. A DMX precisely reveals when, during motion, a joint becomes unstable, offering a comprehensive view of the severity and the specific ligament involved. Our reading doctor measures how much your ligament has been stretched and record the measurements in the mensuration report. Unlike static imaging, DMX captures instability at any point during the joint's range of motion. Even with stress X-rays, where patient positioning can cause guarding and pain, DMX typically captures instability before protective measures are taken. Our picture-in-picture technology also captures the patient's facial expression at the moment of pain, providing a more nuanced understanding of the instability.
Others claimed to offer Motion studies, what makes their equipment different?
Don't be fooled. Digital motion X-ray has been tried and true for over 20 years. Some claim to be offering a DMX, service, but are not actually using a DMX system. A DMX system captures real time evaluations. The DMX system is trusted by many top instability providers and has been used as the gold standard in a 10 year instability study. Additionally, our system uses a fraction of the radiation required by other imaging. In fact, a full cervical DMX study which has close to 3000 images in real time, uses no more radiation that a standard 7 view cervical x-ray.
Is DMX considered an antiquated technology?
In some respects, yes, and in others, no. The origins of X-ray technology trace back to motion X-rays used for entertainment at fairs and even to assess how well shoes fit. However, this lighthearted approach took a serious turn when the health risks associated with excessive radiation became apparent.
While hospital-grade fluoroscopic imaging still exists, it's used sparingly due to its significant radiation output. In traditional fluoroscopy, where the patient stays still and the machine moves around them, washout occurs as the patient moves, frequently obliterating the image. While this can occur with DMX, its extremely low radiation, reverse contrast design, and collimation methods make such instances very rare and limited.
Traditional X-rays, although an older technology, continue to provide substantial diagnostic benefits. They have been fundamental in medical diagnostics for over a century, offering clear images of bones and some soft tissues, which are crucial for identifying fractures, dislocations, and other skeletal abnormalities. Despite advancements, X-rays remain invaluable due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and the detailed information they provide about static structures. DMX continues to lead in instability studies. Although the software and image-capturing devices may evolve over time, the core principle remains consistent with other radiation-based diagnostic imaging methods. X-rays pass through the body, with the absorbed portion creating internal images displayed on a screen. The DMX fluoroscopic screen captures all motion without requiring a refresh rate.
My Doctor is wanting to receive the DMX in DICOM format. Do you provide this?
Unfortunately, DICOM does not support true video; it offers a simulated video more akin to a slide show. Your crucial image frames are selected, measured, and added to your report. Individuals seeking DICOM can utilize the report, as it integrates easily into Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.
Converting a full DMX video to DICOM would result in an enormous file size and require extensive processing for viewing. Most providers preferring DICOM create a separate patient file outside their EHR system and reference it within the EHR. This allows them to use the report in the EHR while still having access to the complete DMX video. Notably, if a provider claims to convert a full DMX video to DICOM, it suggests they may not be using a genuine DMX system, as the conversion process is impractical due to the sheer volume of images.
