Research has found that unnecessary use of MRI increases daily in the field of MSK (bones and muscles). In MSK, sometimes an MRI can detect too much, while the many findings are not presenting any diagnosis at all. Often, it is a nerve causing the problem or the source of the symptoms is unclear.
Research demonstrated that randomly selected subjects (people) had an MRI scan that picked up some abnormalities: in reality, the subjects had no conditions or symptoms at all. So, the diagnostic accuracy of MRI remains questionable.
Often, we face related questions from our patients, “Did you see my MRI”? However, we do not like to be misguided by an MRI scan. We manage patients, not MRIs.
Deciding treatment solely based on an MRI scan can be damaging as well. For example, patients having unsuccessful hip, knee or other joint surgeries/ replacements based on MRI findings may experience continuing pain afterwards. Sometimes after surgery the pain can be even worse, or the patient may present with post-surgical complications.
Moreover, getting repetitive MRI scans generally does not change methods of treatment at all. CT scans or X-rays can be used similarly to an MRI scan in the field of MSK diagnosis and treatment.
In N3 Physiotherapy, we do not entirely depend on scans to make diagnoses. Instead, we use them in conjunction with manual examination and receiving details from our patients.