MRI Excellent in Investigating Back Pain
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming more and more useful to doctors in identifying the multiple possible causes of back pain, according to a recent evaluation of the technology from an orthopedic perspective. The evaluation, which appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, observed that MRI is effective and even vital over a wide range of clinical disorders, and that, in years to come, technical developments will produce yet more orthopedic benefits.
"Because of the many different ways to gather this important information, MRI can be used to identify or display almost every type of spinal tissue or pathology," said co-author Victor M. Haughton of the department of radiology at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. "The imaging sequence can be modified to meet many different clinical needs." Such needs encompass back pain, infection, tumors, trauma and vascular disease.
In terms of spinal applications, MRI is now being used to investigate vascular disorders, trauma, abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal, and degeneration of the intervertebral discs and of the joints that link vertebrae together. The MRI machine works by measuring the varying amounts of energy given off by such tissues as fat, muscle, spinal nerves and spinal fluid when their protons are excited by radio waves in the presence of a strong magnetic field.
Thus, MRI scans can provide detailed images of spinal vertebrae spaces, bone marrow, the spinal canal and surrounding soft tissues. And MRI doesn't pose a radiation risk to patients. The orthopedic evaluation also included a consideration of computed tomography (CT), a related imaging technology. It's good for patients for whom a strong magnetic field poses problems, such as people with pacemakers or nerve stimulators, or for those with severe claustrophobia. CT, however, involves some radiation exposure.
"The possibilities of magnetic resonance have not yet been realized," Haughton said. "It is a rapidly evolving field. When we need tools to identify a possible herniated disk, the simplest type of MR imaging or CT imaging can be used successfully. However, if you want to find out which disk is causing pain, which nerve is firing, which metabolites are present in abnormal amounts, or how well the spinal elements are functioning, MR will provide the answers."
Disclaimer
Featured Doctors
COPD Stem Cell Treatment
Daniel Royal
Royal Medical Group
9065 S. Pecos Rd., Ste. 250
Henderson, NV 89074
Call: 888-901-6177
Tennis Elbow/Shoulder Pain Manhattan, NYC
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
Tennis Elbow/Shoulder Pain Manhattan, NYC
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Back Pain Relief Encino, California
Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.
Valley Spinal Decompression Center
5363 Balboa Blvd. Suite 430
Encino, CA 91316
Call: (888) 870-2099
OBGYN Ultrasound Westchester County, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
MRI Services White Plains, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 837-8158
Fall Prevention/Balance Training Therapy Bergen County, NJ
MedWell, L.L.C.
MedWell Spine & Neuropathy Center
33 Central Ave
Midland Park, NJ 07432
Call: (888) 820-2250
Neck Pain Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Melinda Keller, D.C.
Keller Chiropractic
372 Kingston Ave.
Crown Heights, NY 11213
Call: 888-871-4137
OBGYN Ultrasound Westchester County, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment NJ
Peter Ferraro, D.C.
Ferraro Spine & Rehabilitation
224 Midland Ave
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Call: 888-895-3840
Neck Pain New York City, New York
Steven S. Moalemi, M.D.
Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management
551 5th Avenue Ste. 525
New York, NY 10176
Call: (888) 898-7795
Spinal Decompression Smithtown, Long Island
Stephen Lembo, DC
Northeast Spine & Rehab
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown, NY 11787
Call:
MRI Services White Plains, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 837-8158
BioSET Allergy Elimination, CT
Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.
156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
Call: (203) 242-0165
Back Surgery Alternatives NJ
Damon Noto, MD
Spine & Joint Center
777 Terrace Avenue, 4th Floor
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
Call: 866-385-8138
Chiropractor Eastchester, Westchester, NY
Jonathan Donath
Joint Effort Chiropractic
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains, NY 10605
Call: 888-543-4224
Dr. Allan Weisberg
Allan Weisberg
Midtown Total Health
235 E49th Street
New York, NY 10017
Call: 888-453-7121
Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
Fast Weight Loss Manhattan, NYC
Columbia University Medical Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Center for Metabolic & Weight Loss Surgery
Herbert Irving Pavilion,161 Fort Washington Ave, 6th Fl., Room 620
NYC, NY 10032
Call: 888-838-9148
Chronic Pain Los Angeles, CA
Bruce Shannahoff, D.C.
Valley Spinal Decompression Center
5363 Balboa Blvd. Suite 430
Encino, CA 91316
Call: (888) 870-2099
MRI Services White Plains, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | General Radiology Services
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 837-8158
OBGYN Ultrasound Westchester County, New York
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 544-1169
Spinal Decompression Middlesex County, NJ
Ronald Spiaggia
Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Injury Center
459 Watchung Avenue
Watchung, NJ 07069
Call: 888-897-4870
Specialities
- Acupuncture
- Alternative Medicine
- Bariatric Surgery
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Surgery
- Cancer Treatment
- Cardiology
- Chiropractic
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Facial Enhancement
- Fertility Treatment
- Foot Specialist
- Foot Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Geriatrics
- Hair Replacement
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Infertility Treatment
- Integrative Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- LASIK
- Laser Hair Removal
- Medical Editorial Board
- Medical Spa
- Medical Testing
- Neurology
- Neuropathy
- Nursing Home Services
- Nutrition and Diet
- Obstetrician & Gynecology
- Oncology & Cancer
- Oncology Center
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Physical Therapy
- Plastic Surgery
- Podiatry
- Spinal Decompression
- Spine Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Vein Surgery
- Weight Loss