Thread: Medical imaging question

In simple terms, x-rays and CT are good for showing hard bony things and MRI is good for showing soft tissue things.

Lots.
A MRI is like many different X-ray films in sections.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Lots.
A MRI is like many different X-ray films in sections.

That's more like a CT scan.

MRI is also sectional but shows different stuff. Much more detail of soft tissue.

Ultrasound is also good for soft tissue but doesn't have the resolution of MRI

Better for evaluating ligamentous or soft tissue injury.

Also better at visualising smaller bony changes (US pretty useless for bone, X-ray not bad bit requires structural change.

What have you done?

I had to have an MRI on my knee to see that the Ligaments were cactus.. they don't show up on x-rays or ultrasounds..

Perfectly suitable for that indication. X-ray was always going to be useless at that and ultrasound marginally better.

The replies above have pretty much said it all. It's kind of like x-rays, taken in slices either horizontal or vertical, but give high definition pics of the soft tissues and bones at the same time. And they give it to you on disc as well so you can amuse your rellies with it.

I always have done quite heavy work and loved it, in my workplaces, but the position I held from June 2011 till may 2012 was beyond; was hectic, fast paced, bit of stress, lot of challenge and time management, everything I love (if it doesnt stress me at least a little it aint fun). However it was apparent early on that my hauling of anything up to 8 tonnes a night in vats on pump up pallet jacks was going to cause issue as was the frequent hand wrapping (eg with overgrown gladwrap roll) of finished goods in a night and I developed pain in my knee. My request for an equipment upgrade was refused so I did a dummy spit, quit the role, and tried to set about healing myself. Unfortunately I stopped too early (shouldhave kept going until my leg exploded) so I spent months in that inbetween stage where you get no sympathy but you have to quit your walking exersize due to pain. Ive had fair amount of improvement (can do around 4 8km walks per week now whereas at its worst I didnt walk at all) b ut nagging pain still there 80% of the time, to varying degrees. Xray shows nothing, ultrasound showed nothing significant, MRI is next and am wondering if its worth my while to bother or jsut assume the first two readings were right, there IS nothing wrong but my head, and start thrashing the walking regardless of how it feels
For the record I am not a hypochondriac, I carry an amount of pain aroundnwith me all the time due to the work types I get involved in, many things can be worked around. This crap knocked me for six though, cost me a role I enjoyed, sent me backwards in my physical activity regime which in turn resulted in an amount of depression (disco was retail therapy as having a ladies size 11 foot means shoe shopping retail therapy is difficult lol)