/images/pg/cmi_faq.gif"> General Questions | Arthritis & Rheumatology | Imaging | Orthopedic | Neurosurgery GENERAL QUESTIONS Where is your office located? For the convenience of our patients, all services of Carolina Musculoskeletal Institute are located in the Aiken Medical Center. Aiken Medical Center is a multispecialty office building located on the campus of Aiken Regional Medical Centers and contains numerous other medical specialties as well as out patient laboratory, pharmacy, and optical facilities. The orthopedic, neurosurgical, joint replacement center and spine center are located in suite 1000. The imaging center and the osteoporosis centers are located in suites 1100, 1200 & 1400. The rheumatology and arthritis center is located in suite 1400. Map and/or driving directions Back to top Why do I have to answer all those questions on the forms? The medical history is needed so that we may consider all possible influences on your current diagnosis and how your history, current medications and allergies may affect your treatment. Other questions are asked so that we may efficiently help you in billing the responsible party. Still other questions are asked so we may consider how your illness or injury affects the demands of your life and job. Back to top Do I need a referral to make an appointment? Our practice is open and you may call directly for an appointment. We also see patients on referral from other physicians, employers, attorneys, and insurance companies. Some insurance plans require that you be referred; if you aren't sure, ask your insurance company. Back to top What hospitals do you use? CMI provides the orthopedic services for Aiken Regional Medical Centers Hospital which is our primary hospital. We also provide orthopedic coverage for the Edgefield, Barnwell, Bamberg, and Allendale county hospitals. Our orthopedists have a close working relationship with Children's Medical Center in Augusta, GA. Back to top May I choose my doctor when making an appointment? Yes, you may choose which doctor you will see. However, if you have an urgent problem that cannot wait, one of our doctors is always on call to see you on an urgent basis. Back to top How can I complain about problems with my insurance coverage? First, check with us to make sure diagnosis and procedure codes are correct and to get a record of our pre-authorization attempts. Second, contact your insurance agent or benefits manager. If the problem persists, write a letter or E-mail your insurance company detailing your problem. Finally, if you need further help, write or E-mail the state insurance commissioner and your state representative and senator. Links to the state are provide in our LINKS section. Back to top ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY Are glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate good for arthritis? Currently, these are two of the most popular arthritis remedies in the world. They are two substances naturally found in cartilage. They are food supplements and are not regulated by the FDA. Basic scientific research has not been completed on these materials. However, the general experience of the large number of people who have taken these substances indicates that they seem to be safe and well tolerated and that a good number of the people taking these materials feel better after taking them for 6-8 weeks. Buy from a reputable source and follow the manufacturers directions. You may take arthritis medicines along with these substances, however, they can interact with some medicines notably diabetes and blood thinning medicines, so check with your doctor first. Glucosamine and chondroitin are for osteoarthritis- not other forms of arthritis. They should not be given to children or taken if you are pregnant simply because it hasn't been studied. Lastly, do not abandon proven pain and arthritis management techniques such as exercise and weight management and cd wearing supportive, well cushioned shoes. Back to top What is injection therapy for arthritis? Almost 14 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a wear and tear condition of the joint involving tearing, wearing and breaking of cartilage, the formation of bone spurs, and loss of joint fluids ability to lubricate and cushion the joint. Hyaluronate is the material in joint fluid that appears to be deficient in OA. Supartz is a brand of hyaluronate which has been polymerized and cross-linked to form a thick fluid that is a temporary implant in the joint-lubricating and cushioning it and hopefully giving pain relief. It may take 6-8 weeks for the improvement to occur; pain relief can last 6 or more months. It is not a cure for OA. It has been authorized by the FDA for the treatment of OA of the knee and is an additional means of reducing pain and increasing mobility to work with other medicines, diet and exercise. Back to top IMAGING What is MRI? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging technology that uses a strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce pictures or "images" of your internal organs and structures. Because MRI allows your doctor to see inside your body from any angle with great clarity, it is giving doctors a wealth of information more quickly and in many cases, more economically than past tests and exploratory surgeries. Back to top Do I get radiation with an MRI? No. An MRI is performed using a magnetic field and a computer program to create pictures of the tissues of the body. Back to top ORTHOPEDICS What is orthopedics? Orthopedics is a specialty within medicine, concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries to the bones, joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles. We are a group of board-certified surgeons providing the finest orthopedic care in the Aiken area. Back to top What is the difference between a fractured and a broken bone? Fractured and broken describe the same injury. There are many different kinds of fractures, some of which are: closed means the skin over the break has not been opened; compound means the skin has been split or cut open and the broken bone has been exposed to the outside environment; displaced means the pieces of the broken bone have been knocked out of place; angulated means the bone pieces are at an angle to each other but the fracture ends are still together. Back to top How long does it take sprains to heal? Sprain and strain are 2 words used to describe a tearing of soft tissue such as muscle, tendon , or ligament. Depending on how bad the tear is, healing can take from a few days to 8-12 weeks and some of the most severe injuries may require surgical repair for them to heal properly. Back to top How long does it take fractures to heal? In general, broken bones take 6-12 weeks to heal. Some of the simpler fractures in the small bones or in young children may heal more quickly. Back to top Will my broken bone be as strong as it used to be? The vast majority of fractures heal up just as strong as they were before the injury. Infrequently, bones may be slow to heal (delayed union), may not heal properly or completely (malunion) or may not heal at all (nonunion). In some of these cases, further treatment is usually necessary. Back to top Is it spelled orthopaedic or orthopedic? Either spelling is commonly used. Back to top NEUROSURGERY