MRI on my left shoudler

[leahposey]

In september I had slip and fall accident and I hurt my upper left arm.  I had about a 6 inch bruise on the back of my upper left arm.  I went to an orthopedic surgeon and I explained I was having severe pain that would shoot down my arm and then i would get a pins and needles feeling from my upper arm down to my pinky and ring fingers and they would also get numb.  He sent me to physical therapy, and this seemed to aggravate the arm even more. Finely they stopped physical therapy because they said I was not showing improvement and they thought I may have nerve damage. So I was finally sent to get an MRI. They MRI examiner told me she saw lots of black on the MRI scans over the injured area, that I've been complaining about.  What could this "blackness" mean and could this be the reason for the shooting pain, numbness, and tingling. Im so worried this may cause me problems for a long time in the future.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Thanks for keeping me posted.
I am glad I could provide some help. Yes, you may need another MRI. Hope you recover soon.
Please let me know if there is any thing else. Please keep me posted.

[leahposey]

Thank you so much for such a prompt response. I greatly appreciate it. My DR called and it seems to be nerve damage. I am going to the DR's so he can explain in further detail, but it looks as if I have to go for another MRI to see how much further down the arm the damage goes. I will keep you posted,...and again, Thank you.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
MRI is a conclusive test to diagnose injury both to soft tissue and bone. I am not sure what your scanner meant by blackness. However here are the problems the MRI can detect in the area.
• collar or upper arm bone fractures
• pinched nerves
• arthritis  
• rotator cuff tendonitis which occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become inflamed usually through injury, wear and tear, infection or activity requiring overuse as they pass through a bony arch in shoulder
• dislocation of the shoulder which occurs when the ball shaped head of the upper arm bone (humerus) comes out of the shoulder socket
• 'frozen' shoulder which occurs when pain or injury experienced by a person restricts movement within the shoulder, leading to the muscles and connecting structures tightening and further attempts at movement becoming restricted or causing pain
• bursitis which occurs when the fluid filled sack called a bursa that lies between structures within the joint for protection or improved movement becomes inflamed.”
• Hematoma
I am sure by now you have the complete report. Your doctor will go through it and explain it to you. However if you need more help, please feel free to contact. I’ll be happy to answer your queries. Please keep me posted.