The MRI: A Key Diagnostic Tool in the War against Chronic Pain

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The MRI A Key Diagnostic Tool in the War against
Chronic Pain
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MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Often known as an MRI, is used by physicians to
diagnose orthopedic and other chronic conditions
resulting in pain complaints by a patient. An
MRI utilizes magnetic fields and radio waves to
obtain detailed, high-quality photos of the
targeted area of the body. For example, an
orthopedic surgeon may use an MRI to see tendons,
ligaments, and bones in the patient complaining
of knee pain or discs, nerves, facets, and
vertebrae in the spine. An MRI is a much higher
contrast diagnostic tool than an x-ray. An x-ray
is a very basic diagnostic tool. Some compare an
x-ray to flying over the earth in a commercial
airliner you can see the fields and roads but
very few minor details. An MRI, however, is
closer by comparison to skimming the ground from
a few feet above the earth, allowing you to see
find details of rocks and sand. Similarly, an MRI
gives medical providers a closer view of what is
going on in the targeted area of the body.
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It is important to note that most emergency rooms
do not utilize MRIs following an injury where
the patient complains of pain. Most of the time,
especially in cases involving soft tissue
injuries, an emergency room will only obtain an
MRI. In some cases, especially where a person
complains of headaches, and a diligent medical
provider may order a CT scan but in most cases, a
patient can only expect to obtain results from an
MRI. This incorrectly leads many uneducated
patients to leave the emergency room believing
that nothing is seriously wrong in spite of
subjectively continuing the be in pain because
the ER said nothing showed up on the x-ray. The
thing to remember here is that an x-ray is one of
the most basic forms of diagnostic known to
modern medicine. Therefore, an injury victim
should remember the following
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• Understand that more needs to be done if you
  continue to experience pain following a visit to
  the emergency room. An emergency room in most
  cases only provides stabilizing care, meaning
  that more diagnostics and treatment may be
  necessary in order to fully diagnose and treat
  your pain.
• Seek the advice of a specialist if your pain
  continues. Do not delay or wait a long period of
  time after leaving the emergency room
• If your health insurance plan requires you to see
  a primary care physician before seeing a
  neurologist or orthopedic specialist verbally
  express your desire to see a specialist to the
  primary care physician. Do not simply settle for
  seeing a general practitioner if you feel that
  you need to see a specialist. You should
  certainly never exaggerate your complaints of
  pain but do not hold back either when seeing the
  primary care physician. If your pain is a
  constant 10 out of 10 say so. Understand that
  pain levels that you, as a patient communicate to
  the doctor may slow down or speed up the decision
  to send you to a specialist.

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• Insist on obtaining an MRI. There is no shame in
  being an educated patient. While many good
  medical providers understand the need to obtain
  an MRI quickly, others may delay due to a lack of
  local availability of MRI diagnostics or
  restrictions placed on obtaining these
  diagnostics by health insurance companies. Be
  persistent.

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