Shoulder MRI study testimonial
Author Dr. Bálint Major | 2023.09.01.
In today's fast-paced world, many of us tend to overlook the subtle signs of our bodies until they slowly become unbearable. That's what happened to me. As a marketer, slouching over a desk for 8-10 hours a day and a sedentary lifestyle has taken its toll. The initial, small shoulder pain has slowly become a persistent problem and has also negatively affected my sleep at night.
After months of neglect, a strong and persistent shoulder problem has developed. Finally I realized that the situation was not going to resolve itself and I contacted Dr. Bálint Major shoulder specialist, who welcomed me with great empathy, kindness and helpfulness.
The need for and role of shoulder MRI
Dr. Bálint Major shoulder surgeon started the investigation with a thorough questioning. I told you about my medical history and that when I was 16 years old I had a shoulder dislocation ended my fledgling handball career. I have a physically unstable shoulder joint, so I turned to other sports for fear of another shoulder injury.
After I told Doctor Major Bálint the story of my shoulder, the physical examination followed. He looked at my shoulder movements, the strength. In order to make a perfect diagnosis, he sent me to shoulder X-ray also for testing. As X-rays mainly show the condition of the bones, they shoulder MR scan also asked for. Although many people talk about it, and I have had countless people I know undergo MR scans, I was still full of questions. I was interested in what exactly the MRI would show and how it would contribute to improving the condition of my shoulder. I wanted to be healthy again as soon as possible, so I was looking forward to the MR scan.
What is shoulder MR and what is it for?
Before I go into the procedure of the MRI scan, I think it is important to describe the diagnostic procedure.
MRI scanning - also known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging - is one of the most advanced and accurate imaging techniques in modern medicine.
But what exactly is this concept and why is it needed?
An essentially radiation-free and painless procedure, it uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of different parts of the body. This allows the examination of soft tissues, joints, muscles and other internal structures. All this is done in comfortable and safe conditions for the patient.
Why is this necessary?
From MRI scans can reveal even the smallest abnormalities, which is not always possible with conventional X-rays or ultrasound. In many cases, the diagnosis can be more accurate and the treatment more targeted. Whether it's sports injuries, joint problems, rotator cuff syndrome or even more serious health issues, the results of an MRI scan can lead to a deeper understanding of diseases and conditions.
The procedure for a shoulder MR scan
Fortunately, MR requires no special preparation. You can eat, drink and take your usual medicines on the day of the test (if there are any). There is nothing to worry about, as the procedure is non-invasive, so there is no pain. However, there are a few things to bear in mind:
- An MR scan uses a magnetic field for imaging, so it is very important to not wearing any metal during the test jewellery, clothing containing metal, or anything else. Since the procedure is done in street clothes, care must be taken to ensure that there is no metal in the pockets or seams of the clothes. The phone should be left in the dressing room locker. I also took off my glasses, as they are in the stem metal component.
- The metal in the body parts becomes a more serious issue when someone has a prosthesis or other metal object implanted in their body. Here the question of dental implants is also important. As I fortunately have nothing metal in my body, this was not an issue for me. Otherwise, you should consult your doctor about this, because it could make it impossible to do the MR.
- Since the MR machine is a cylindrical machine, so it is easy to get caught up in the patient's claustrophobia. Even if you have not had this problem before.
I got around this problem by closing my eyes before I got into the computer, so I was completely unaware that I was lying in a tube.
- Before the test started, they put a huge earpiece on my ear, which was a great help. Because while taking the shoulder MR images, the machine emits noise with strong sound effects. This can be particularly annoying for the sensitive, but the annoyance was well dampened by the headphones.
You must lie still during the test, to ensure that the right quality images are captured. For me, this was not a problem, but for those who find it difficult, it is worth preparing in the spirit.
The shoulder MR scan in my case took about 20 minutes. Generally, MR scans take between 20 and 90 minutes, depending on which part of the body is involved.
Nothing really happens during the procedure, apart from the noise. Anyone like me who is sensitive to changes in the electromagnetic field of space should try to ignore it. I tried to half-sleep and use the time on the computer as a rest. - To be on the safe side, the radiologist who performed the examination gave me a button to press in case of a problem. This made me feel even safer.
What next?
The shoulder MR scan was a completely new experience for me, but overall I didn't feel bad. I am a little nervous about the results of the scans. Soon I will visit Dr. Bálint Major again, who will recommend a personalised treatment based on the images. I knew that I was in good hands and I was sure that I would soon be able to say goodbye to for shoulder pain.
