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[berni09]

Have had upper back pain for quite awhile now,Had xrays done which showed metal foreign object in my
spine--have had 4 diff. back surgeries in past but always lower,including tailbone removal.
Doctors and Radiologist said it was from numerous myleograms in past-butonly gave pain-killers for he
constant pain,said not to worry about the metal.
Want to know why I am getting all this Upper-pain which never had before,plus have had several xrays and
never told before about this metal in spine-which is near the top  in spine.
Could this be causing my pain ? ,as have had no falls or other problems,otherwise in good health. Thanks.

[philnoir]

Depending on the kind of metal in your back, it can heat up due to the magnetic energy used in MRI, and very uncomfortable during imaging.

This is one reason why we use titanium for surgical implants -- it is non-reactive to MRI. No doubt, the screws and plates used in your previous surgeries were titanium.

The alternative to MRI for those with metal in the body is CAT scan -- it uses xray instead of magnetic energy, and is also high-resolution (unlike straight xray).

[berni09]

  I have had MRi before--but just found out in March about this, Not sure how long it has been there/  as also have screws in my back but still had MRI's ;They said would send me for a MRI--but then changed their mind-so ?????

[philnoir]

Xrays show bone problems, and indicate spine disease indirectly, for example, through vertebral spacing.

An MRI will show soft tissue injury.

Can you have an MRI with this metal in your spine?

[Caryopteris]

Are they saying a needle broke off during myelogram???