Radiology

Recognized Experts Looking Out for You

The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves and cartilage. At the Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging & Intervention within the Tufts Medical Center Radiology Department, our specialists use the latest techniques and technology to diagnose a wide range of musculoskeletal diseases. Our recognized experts also employ minimally invasive image-guided therapy to treat a variety of conditions.

We serve patients from referring doctors including orthopedists, rheumatologists, physiatrists and primary care physicians.

Finding Out Exactly What's Wrong

To help us make a diagnosis, we use safe, state-of-the-art equipment to capture images from inside your body. Our technologies include:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Fluoroscopy
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

Consulting with colleagues at Tufts MC if necessary, your musculoskeletal interventional radiologist will carefully review your images to pinpoint your medical problem. He or she will then send a report that helps your referring doctor design a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

Making Your Life Easier with Image-Guided Therapy

Certain musculoskeletal conditions can be addressed with image-guided therapy. With this approach, your musculoskeletal interventional radiologist utilizes ultrasound, CT or fluoroscopy to guide your minimally invasive treatment. Studies have shown that minimally invasive image-guided procedures are safe and effective, thus speeding your recovery and return to normal activities.

We use image-guided interventions for many conditions, including:

• Bursitis
• Calcific bursitis (hydroxyapatite deposition disease)
• Fasciitis
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Ganglia
• Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
• Tendinitis (tendinosis)
• Tennis elbow (lateral tendinosis)

Meet Dr. Robert Ward, Our Chief

Chief of Musculoskeletal Imaging & Intervention Robert J. Ward, MD, CCD, DABR has focused on musculoskeletal imaging throughout his medical career. He completed a musculoskeletal imaging fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and certified clinical densitometrist.

Outside of his clinical practice, Dr. Ward is an assistant professor of radiology and orthopaedics at Tufts University School of Medicine. Author of a textbook and numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal publications, he regularly presents at national conferences and other events in the United States and abroad. His research interests include image utilization, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sports medicine imaging and medical education.

As a member of the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® Expert Panel on Musculoskeletal Imaging, Dr. Ward is contributing to the development of national imaging utilization standards for the work-up of musculoskeletal disease. He is active in numerous medical societies, including the Radiologic Society of North America, Society of Skeletal Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology, International Society of Clinical Densitometry and American College of Radiology.

We value the relationship that referring physicians have with their patients. Whether you are a family practice doctor, orthopedist, rheumatologist or other specialist, we will work with you to ensure your patient receives coordinated care. In addition, we are committed to rapid turnaround of our reports so that you can give your patient prompt attention.