Advancing Orthopedic Care with Mini C-Arm Imaging

Leveraging Mini C-Arm Technology to Enhance Orthopedic Patient Care

Orthopedic diagnosis and treatment depend on the ability to clearly visualize bones and joints. Accurate imaging allows OrthoCarolina to confirm alignment, assess movement, and guide procedures with confidence. Mini C-arm technology plays a key role in making this imaging more accessible and effective at the point of care.

The SMART-C® is a mini C-arm, or a compact fluoroscopic imaging system, designed specifically for extremity imaging. This includes hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, and shoulders. Using this low-dose X-ray technology, produces high-resolution, real-time images of bones and joints in motion. The SMART-C® is lightweight, portable, and can be moved around exam rooms and to various OrthoCarolina locations.

How the Technology Works

Mini C-arms use fluoroscopy to generate continuous X-ray images, allowing practitioners to see motion rather than as a single static image. This is especially important in orthopedics, where understanding joint movement, fracture alignment, and hardware positioning in real time impacts clinical decisions.

Because the SMART-C® is battery powered and compact, imaging can be performed exactly where the patient is.

By bringing imaging to the patient this technology allows practitioners to:

• Make immediate, informed decisions by viewing images in real time rather than waiting for results from a separate imaging department.
• Improve procedural precision, using live visualization to guide fracture reductions, confirm joint alignment, and support accurate placement during orthopedic interventions.
• Reduce patient movement and delays, which can be especially beneficial for injured or post-operative patients.
• Enhance patient understanding, as practitioners can review images alongside the patient, clearly explaining findings and next steps.

Supporting Better Orthopedic Experiences

By intentionally leveraging this focused imaging tool, OrthoCarolina can streamline care, improve accuracy, and create a more efficient and patient-centered experiences.