Severe medical conditions and orthopedic injuries require an accurate diagnosis. Inaccurate results can delay treatment, increasing the risk of complications. With Medford MRI, your doctor can get clear images of your internal organs and identify the cause of your pain and discomfort.
What an MRI involves
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic approach that involves computed-generated radio waves and magnetic fields to provide images of your internal organs. The Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center specialists offer MRI services to diagnose orthopedic injuries when X-rays are unreliable. Before a brain MRI, your doctor may provide guidelines for drinking and eating depending on the reason for the MRI. You can continue taking your medications unless your doctor tells you otherwise. The MRI scanner uses strong radio wave signals and magnets that can cause the movement of certain metal objects, resulting in safety issues. It can also lead to a malfunction in some implanted electronic medical devices. If you have implanted medical objects in your body, inform your doctor before your brain MRI. It is crucial to inform your specialist if you have a cochlear implant, cardiac pacemaker, vagal nerve stimulator, or middle ear prosthesis.
Reasons for ordering an MRI.
MRI can help in the diagnosis of several medical disorders, including:
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Cancers/ tumors
A small tumor can be hard to detect using other diagnostic tools. However, with MRI, your provider can detect cancer in its early stages and address it before it causes further complications. This technology enables your radiologist to identify cancer’s location, type, and size and how far it has spread in your body. An MRI can detect abnormalities in the prostate, uterus, breast, liver and bile ducts, pancreas, and kidneys.
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Spine abnormalities
While medical experts prefer using MRIs to evaluate the soft tissue concerns in your musculoskeletal system, such as a meniscus injury or a severed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), they often preserve an MRI with contrast for spinal cord problems. MRI can diagnose herniated discs, pinched nerves, compressed discs, bone infections, and multiple sclerosis.
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Heart and vascular disorders
Many vascular disorders rarely cause any symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose them until they are in their advanced stages. An MRI with contrast makes it possible for your radiologist to detect the tiniest abnormality in your heart and blood vessels. This technology can detect aneurysms, carotid artery disease, and pulmonary artery disease. Additionally, an MRI with contrast provides vivid pictures of the thickness of your heart’s walls and the issues with your aorta and heart’s chambers. If there is damage to your heart due to heart disease, an MRI shows how severe it is.
After an MRI, the specialists at Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center analyze your results before discussing the next step. Your results will decide whether you need additional tests or not. Afterward, the team will educate you about the available treatment options before recommending the most effective one.
For more information about MRI, call the Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center office or schedule an appointment online.
