Why Your Doctor May Recommend a CT Scan After an Injury

Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in healthcare, helping providers gain in-depth insight about a person’s health that can help relieve symptoms, manage treatment, and prevent complications. 

CT scans are one of the most versatile types of diagnostic imaging, and for injury diagnosis, these scans provide invaluable information to guide your care.

At Invision Sally Jobe, our team is experienced in cutting-edge CT techniques and technology, ensuring the highest degree of accuracy with every imaging study. 

In this post, learn why many medical providers turn to CT scans to help their patients heal and recover following falls, car accidents, and other types of injuries.

How CT scans work

Short for computer tomography, a CT scan uses X-rays and computers to produce a series of very thin, cross-sectional images of your body. Images are captured from multiple angles and then knitted together by computer software to form highly detailed 3D images. 

These images are far more detailed and precise than the images that a standard X-ray machine produces. CT images show not only bone, but also soft tissues, organs, and even your blood vessels, making them highly valuable for assessing a wide array of injuries.

Because CT captures images in thin slices, your doctor can view internal structures layer by layer, making it easier to detect small or subtle issues that other types of imaging might miss.

It’s also ideal for viewing complex structures, like your brain or spine, where views might be obscured on a traditional X-ray.

CT scans and injury treatment

Healthcare providers often turn to CT scans following injuries because these scans provide fast, clear, highly accurate images to both diagnose underlying problems and guide treatment. Since they capture all sorts of tissue, CT scans can quickly uncover internal problems that might not be causing visible signs of injury.

CT scans are especially important for injuries involving the head, belly, or chest, areas where bleeding might go undetected until permanent and even life-threatening damage occurs. 

In fact, the level of detail and precision that a CT scan provides can avoid the need for exploratory surgery. That means your treatment can begin sooner than if you had to wait for invasive diagnostic procedures.

CT imaging is also a good choice for evaluating complex fractures, including fractures located near major nerves or blood vessels. By providing detailed views of the broken bones and the area surrounding them, CT imaging helps ensure the fracture itself is properly cared for while avoiding damage to other tissues.

And of course, CT imaging plays a critical role in detecting head injuries, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries that could involve swelling, bleeding, or other damage in or around the brain. 

These injuries can be notoriously difficult to detect without detailed imaging, frequently causing few or no symptoms until permanent or life-threatening complications develop.

What to expect during your scan

CT scans are quick, painless, and noninvasive. During the scan, you lie down on a cushioned exam-type table while the machine does all the work. As images are captured, you hear clicking, humming, and other noises.

For some images, we may inject a contrast dye to make structures more visible. Throughout your scan, you’ll be able to speak with our team. In most cases, the entire scan takes just a few minutes. Afterward, your healthcare provider reviews your results and provides follow-up.

Schedule your CT scan today

As a state-of-the-art imaging process, computed tomography provides in-depth information about your health to ensure you receive the most thorough and appropriate care. 

To learn more about CT scanning or to schedule an imaging visit with our team in Aurora, Greenwood Village, Golden, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, and Denver, Colorado, call Invision Sally Jobe at 720-493-3700 today.