Introduction on MRI Scan
Athletes often encounter sports injuries, from mere sprains to more serious ligament injuries. Timely and accurate diagnoses are imperative to a timely recovery. The development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has improved many facets of sports medicine regarding soft-tissue and ligament injuries, tendon injuries and bony injuries. Prior to the use of MRI, clinicians depended on clinical exams, ultrasound, and radiographs. MRI is essential for diagnosis and ongoing treatment of not only sports injuries but any such medical conditions.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, referred to as MRI, is a non-invasive way to visualize the internal structures of the body and identify many diseases, conditions, and injuries. MRI utilizes powerful magnetic fields, in addition to radio waves generated by a computer, to generate pictures of the organs and structures inside a patient’s body. MRI is commonly used to identify:
- Cancers
- Cysts
- Abnormalities of the heart
- abnormalities or injury to the knees, bones or joints
- conditions of the spinal cord or brain
- discomfort or pain in the pelvic area
- abnormalities of the uterus in female patients
Advantages of MRI in Sports Medicine
- Early Injury Detection: MRI can detect injuries early such as, stress injuries, fractures and ligament tears.
- Multi-planar Imaging: it obtains images with specificity of bone structure and accurate injury diagnosis with multiple views.
- Soft Tissue High Contrast: MRI provides clean images of soft tissues which helps identify small problems.
- Non-Invasive and No Radiation: MRI does not require invasive procedures and does not expose patients to harmful radiation like a CT scan and x-ray.
Common Sports Injuries Diagnosed by MRI
Sports such as basketball and wrestling can compress, crush, tear and fray shoulder, knee, and hip joint cartilage. With water-like liquid inside to suspect a joint injury, an MRI early in an athletic career can avoid long term injury.
- Tendons Injuries: Baseball players experience rotator cuff tears while runners experience achilles tendon injuries. An MRI can help to gauge the severity of injury and plan rehabilitation.
- Muscle Tears and Strains: Gymnasts, weight lifters, and sprinters experience muscle tears and strains and an MRI can help to show athletic therapists photographs of muscle fibers, inside of muscle.
- Ligament Tears: An MRI is even more important to determine the extent of ACL and MCL injuries that basketball players and football players commonly experience.
- Meniscus Tears: Meniscus tears are also common in athletes, especially in those who converse with sports with twisting, such as tennis and soccer. An MRI can help to determine which treatment to pursue, and to help differentiate minor from major rips.
Alternative Imaging Methods in Sports Medicine
- X-ray: A good imaging tool for bone injuries but not for soft tissue injury or ligament injury.
- CT Scan: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of bone and joint anatomy but usually performed when MRI is not available or for complex fractures.
- Ultrasound: Provides continuous images of muscle and tendon injuries and can be helpful for ultrasound-guided minor procedures.
- Bone Scan: Detects stress fractures and bone infections by introducing a radioactive substance which enhances imaging.
Conclusion
MRI has transformed sports medicine through in-depth visualization of both injuries and diseases, whether simple or difficult to classify. MRI offers accurate, detailed imaging of soft tissue injuries and subtle findings that make MRI an essential, essential for athlete and physician and physiotherapist in providing an accurate diagnosis and re-establishing activity faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is an MRI scan painful?
MRI is a safe, painless, and non-invasive procedure. Some patients may feel some discomfort from the loud noise produced by the machine.
Q. Do I need to prepare for an MRI?
Generally, no preparation is required. Just as you should avoid any metal objects including jewelry and some clothing, you should also inform your doctor about any metal implants that you may have. Headphones, or earplugs may be provided to minimize the noise.
Q. How MRI scans are helpful in sports injuries?
MRI can also detect early-stage injuries, which is often a helpful way to monitor and track healing progress.
Q. Who invented MRI?
Dr. Raymond Damadian invented MRI scan technology.
Q. How is MRI used for treatment?
It gives your physician valuable information in diagnosing your medical information.
