MRI Images Showing Torn Rotator Cuff

A rendering of mri data from my shoulder -- small tear, strained rotator cuff.



Source of MRI Images Showing Torn Rotator Cuff

Effectiveness of Rotator Cuff MRI

To determine the presence of diseases and determine the line of treatment diagnostic tests are advised. There are many diagnostic tests that are appropriate for rotator cuff syndrome.

Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern diagnostic test and rotator cuff MRI is used to determine the extent of rotator cuff impingement. Other tests for rotator cuff impingement are x-ray, ultra sound, and magnetic resonance anthography. Rotator cuff MRI is believed to be an effective test to detect most rotator cuff tears.

No single diagnostic test can determine decisively about the extent of rotator tear and even if any test does so it will not be able to do so in all cases. These tests work well when they are conducted in conjunction with one another. Each test has its own advantage and disadvantage.

The advantages of rotator cuff MRI is that it doesn't require needles and is painless. Using magnetic waves, it shows pictures of tendons and bones. It scans the soft rotator cuff tissues and can detect most full thickness tears. This test is performed to determine whether the patient would need surgery or not.

However, there are certain disadvantages of it. It is contraindicated for certain people. This test is totally not applicable for people that have a cardiac pacemaker, ferromagnetic foreign bodies (particularly in the orbit), and some cochlear implants.

Rotator cuff MRI is costly in comparison to ultra sound and x-rays. This test is also not very effective in determining the presence of small tears. Some patients become highly claustrophobic in closed MRI scanners. They will have to be administered mild sedatives or put in open MRI scanners before the test. Despite the short comings rotator cuff MRI gets a good overall rating.

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