Imaging Technology

Continued...

One of the more recent applications of MRI is the analysis of stress fractures. A bone scan, which involves injection of radioactive material to demonstrate increased activity in bone, is considered a hallmark for diagnosing stress response in bone. Stress fractures usually will not show up on a standard X-ray until the bone is already healing.

However, the high resolution of MRI has been able to show swelling in bone that was negative in both X-ray and bone scan. This is particularly important for women, who are more prone to stress fractures than men because their bones are less dense.

Mangano says MRI has been invaluable in diagnosing bone bruises, known as trabecular microfractures. If not recognized and given time to heal, a bone bruise may progress to complete fracture or other complications.

For example, one ballet dancer had an MRI after exploratory arthroscopic surgery revealed nothing. The MRI showed that the problem was a stress fracture of the tibia, which could not be seen on an X-ray or in exploratory joint surgery.

MRI researchers are developing new and innovative techniques. Ultra-fast MRI is now being used to study the range of motion of various joints.

The final product is an amazing cinematic film of joints in motion. It is an invaluable aid to identifying and tracking problems of the knee or ankle at different points in the joint's range of motion.

Sharp Images, Steep Price

So why hasn't MRI replaced the X-ray machine? Because, along with the fantastic images comes a fantastic price tag.

Depending on its complexity, a basic MRI costs anywhere from $500 to $1,200. The machines themselves cost more than $1 million and are well beyond the reach of most orthopedic practices.

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Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
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