Established in 2006, the Alabama Orthopedic Imaging (AOI) has proudly trained musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists located throughout the country. AOI is supported by Vulcan Imaging Associates and has long-lasting partnerships throughout the community including the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, based here on the St. Vincent’s Birmingham campus. These partnerships afford us abundant opportunities for advanced training in comprehensive MSK imaging, culminating in world-class medical care for our elite athletes, weekend warriors, and local community.
About Us
The MSK Imaging fellowship is based primarily at the St. Vincent’s (STV) Birmingham hospital campus. Facilities at St. Vincent’s are top-notch including two (2) 3T MRI units and (2) 128-slice CT scanners. While all aspects of musculoskeletal imaging are encountered in the program, the emphasis is on MRI and MR arthrography. There are currently 6 MR units on the extended STV campus. In addition, the MSK radiologists also cover several other local and regional hospitals. VIA covers multiple local imaging centers and physician offices throughout the state. The volume of MSK MR studies is roughly 100 per day. The number of arthrograms/joint injections ranges from 5-15 per day. In addition to the numerous MR studies, there is a good volume of musculoskeletal CT and scintigraphy. Image-guided biopsies and procedures are also performed. There is an additional optional opportunity to receive training from VIA’s spine and neuroradiologists in spine MRI.
While functioning as private practice radiologists, the MSK radiologists maintain a quasi-academic atmosphere. The MSK radiologists participate in a quarterly interdisciplinary conference with the ASMI orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and fellows. They also give a series of lectures to the ASMI fellows throughout the year. Many of the MSK radiologists have clinical appointments at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Fellows participate in a quarterly MSK Case Conference in which fellows (and some staff) present interesting cases to the group.