Dear DrNavneetMD,
I thankyou and appreciate your response.
I have had an MRI for my knee and ankle on many occasions, so I understand the procedure for the patient and also understand the high cost because of the many that I have had.
Unfortunately you have not answered my question though.
My question is........ If a patient had recent surgery to their rotator cuff , would there be any reason why an MRI could not be taken early post op of the same shoulder because there would be too much inflammation to view the scans properly.
To ask again:
I want to know whether, because of inflammation due to this shoulder surgery, would the scans be clouded as to make it impossible to view the shoulder and it's muscles and tendons because the surgery was so recent?
I have been told this is a fact by doctors, but a radiographer has told me this is not true and the recent surgery inflammation that a person would have would not affect the viewing of these muscles & tendons.
Who is right? The doctors saying you wouldn't see anything, or the radiologist that says you would quite easily be able to view the shoulders muscles & tendons.
The doctor says that the MRI would show all white because of the inflammation making it impossible to read the scans.
When I say recent surgery. I mean, could an MRI be taken anytime between 2 - 4 weeks post op.
Hello Dear,
The following information would resolve your concens regarding MRI.
MRI has replaced arthrography as the criterion standard for diagnosing injuries to the rotator cuff.
MRI is a noninvasive test that is extremely sensitive and specific. It can be used to detect size, location, and characteristics of rotator cuff pathology.
In a rotator cuff tear, the tendon demonstrates a bright signal on T1-weighted images that increases significantly on T2-weighted images.
The increased signal on T2-weighted images is fluid that is filling the defect and helps to differentiate a frank tear from tendinosis.
MRI is a very costly test requiring absolute lack of patient motion while the patient is being scanned.
A small percentage of patients are unable to complete the test secondary to pain or claustrophobia.
Best