MRI Scan

Diagnosis and Indications of Osteoarthritis

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:49:37 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about the diagnosis and indications of osteoarthritis.

Question: What to do with osteoarthritis diagnosis?

A physiatrist diagnosed me as having lumbar radiculopathy, based on his examination, and recommended an MRI which showed:

Diagnostic Studies, Patient History, and Physical Exams for Spinal Fusion

Ben Parr — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:03:28 -0800

There are three essential aspects to understanding whether one is a good candidate for spinal fusion to treat their low back pain:

Back Pain Diagnosis: Diagnostic Tests for Indicators of Back Pain

Ben Parr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:24:08 -0800

Diagnostic tests can indicate if a patient's back pain is due to an anatomic cause. However, because diagnostic tests in and of themselves are not a diagnosis, arriving at an accurate clinical diagnosis requires any test to be to be correlated with the patient's back pain symptoms and physical exam.

The most common diagnostic tests include:

MRI Scan

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:53:10 -0800

Definition

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the body’s soft tissue and bones. An MRI images the spine by using a magnet that goes around the body to excite hydrogen atoms.

Diagnostic Tests for a Cervical Herniated Disc

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:49 -0800

Degenerative Disc Disease: the Natural Degenerative Process

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

When we are born, the disc is comprised of about 80% water, which gives it its spongy quality and allows it to function as a shock absorber. As we age, the water content decreases and the disc becomes less capable of acting as a shock absorber (see Figure 1).

MRI Scan of the Spine

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:22 -0800

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scan) was developed in the 1980's and has revolutionized our ability to see normal and abnormal spinal structures and help diagnose what causes back pain. The MRI scan is an imaging test that allows physicians to assess a patient’s spinal anatomy and investigate an anatomical cause of the patient’s back pain.

New MRI Scan Technology

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:22 -0800

There is a lot of difference between MRI scanners. First, there is a large difference in image quality between MRI scanners.

Indications and Contraindications for an MRI Scan

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:22 -0800

The following general rules are usually considered by a physician before ordering an MRI scan for a patient.

Indications for when to get an MRI scan include:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scan)

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:22 -0800

An MRI scan is a completely different technology from an x-ray and CT scan and represents the single most useful imaging study available for spine surgery.

An MRI scan is particularly useful as an aid in the assessment of certain back conditions by providing detail of the spinal disc (such as for degenerative disc disease, isthmic spondylolisthesis) and nerve roots (such as for lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis). MRI scans are also useful to rule out tumors or spinal infections.

Important Considerations for an MRI Scan

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:21 -0800

There are a number of important factors to take into consideration for an MRI scan, including limitations with interpretation of findings and the timing of when an MRI scan should be performed.

How MRI Scans Work

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:21 -0800

The MRI scan “sees” the spine by using a large magnet that stimulates (excites) the hydrogen atoms in the vertebrae (bony building blocks of the spine), spinal sac (contains the spinal cord, nerves and spinal fluid), supporting muscles and ligaments. Because the human body is mostly comprised of water (which is 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, or H2O), an accurate picture of the spinal anatomy can be attained.

Do I Need an MRI Scan?

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:21 -0800

The MRI (Magnetic resonance Imaging) was developed in the 1980’s and has revolutionized treatment for patients with low back pain. An MRI scan is generally considered to be the single best imaging study of the spine to help plan treatment for back pain.

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Any patient experiencing back pain or stiffness in a joint or joints for more than two weeks should see his or her physician for an evaluation. The evaluation usually consists of a discussion of symptoms and a detailed medical history, a physical examination and—if osteoarthritis is suspected—a series of x rays. Other tests (blood tests, MRI or CT scans) may be performed to confirm the presence of spinal arthritis or to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a tumor, infection, fracture, or other types of arthritis.