MRI in an hour!

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Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
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I had an MRI around 2002, Xrays too, of my left shoulder. Great doctor, but he didn't detect pathology. Cortisone shots didn't help. He said I could elect to have an arthoscopy and he'd see what he could find, clean things up in any case. He found a labrum tear (Type 4 SLAP lesion), fixed it on the spot. He told me later that he expected me to make a 100% recovery within a year, with physical therapy in the short term. I'm not sure I ever got to 100% but it was a lot better.

Now, however, I have very similar symptoms. I'm with Kaiser now and they had me take 4 Xrays a few weeks ago and the radiology report described arthritic deterioration consistent with what would be expected for me, and that would explain my pain. Doctor said if problem persistent MRI was in the cards, I emailed him today, he set me up for tomorrow... at 9PM! I confirmed, 9PM!!! I'm usually turning in about then but I'll make this, won't reschedule.

What can I expect? It's been a long time. My symptoms are very like what I remember them being before my arthroscopy in 2002. Therefore I'm skeptical of the radiologist's report. If they couldn't see a labrum tear in 2002 why should I expect them to see it now with an Xray, or even an MRI?
 
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z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
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MRI Machines have gotten way better in the last ~15yrs. I tore my labrum in my hip in 2012, and they spotted it via MRI no problem.

Thing is though, it may not be a labrum tear like you think. I mean, it can be.... But if they don't find anything via Xray/MRI it may just be really bad scar tissue in the joint, combined with some arthritis in the joint.

Not trying to give any type of diagnosis here, I'm not a doctor. My g/f is a DPT and sees crap like this all the time. Post here is purely based off of things she's said to me in the past about my own hip and continuing pain I have.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,362
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MRI Machines have gotten way better in the last ~15yrs. I tore my labrum in my hip in 2012, and they spotted it via MRI no problem.

Thing is though, it may not be a labrum tear like you think. I mean, it can be.... But if they don't find anything via Xray/MRI it may just be really bad scar tissue in the joint, combined with some arthritis in the joint.

Not trying to give any type of diagnosis here, I'm not a doctor. My g/f is a DPT and sees crap like this all the time. Post here is purely based off of things she's said to me in the past about my own hip and continuing pain I have.
I did NOT know that MRI machines have improved.

What is a DPT?

Well, I'm wondering. You say if MRI doesn't reveal the problem(s), wondering if surgery might be beneficial anyway, i.e. cleaning up scar tissue or some other action(s). The pain I'm experiencing is pretty bad a lot of the time. The slightest movements, if the wrong movements, without any muscular involvement can cause stinging pain. Finding a position to sleep in without pain that keeps me awake is sometimes very difficult. It's gotten to that point. This isn't new, it's chronic at this point, but it has worsened quite a bit all in all over the last few months or so.

The MRI is scheduled for tonight at 9PM. I'm pretty sure I've never had a medical appointment after around 5PM! I'm sure it's because those machines are expensive and they want to extend the hours/week they can be used

I'm wondering what to expect. I think they slide you into the machine and you lie there in a tunnel (I'm not claustrophobic), and are supposed to be still for a while. How long does it last? Do I have to hold still for 20 minutes or something?
 
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Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,362
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What is a DPT?

Ah, doctor of physical therapy. My sister (lives ~3 miles from me) just got hers in August. I emailed her my Xray radiology report from Oct. 27 a few days ago. She said she wanted to do some research and would get back to me. A big part of getting her degree, and the job in general is being able to do research, largely online, probably!

Well, had my MRI last night. I held about as still as it's possible for a living human being to do for those 20 minutes. I dreamed about the results all night. Silly dreams. I should get an email from my doctor, hopefully this evening. He's usually very prompt. I'm hopeful but skeptical of Kaiser, probably a lot more skeptical than they deserve. The MRI cost me $205.

I called the doctor who did my arthroscopy in 2002 a few weeks ago, got a woman who told me he would see me as a former patient even if I don't have insurance coverage, but it would be out of pocket. An MRI through him would run me ~$250 perhaps, maybe more, Xray ~$60.

I have until Dec. 7 to change insurance coverage through the Medicare system. I could jump ship if I think that Kaiser is dropping the ball on this. Additional benefit would probably be an ability to have a colonoscopy, which I haven't had in 6.5 years. My former GE guy said I should have them every 5 years. Kaiser is stingy with them. I can maybe expect one more from them and that's it, but that would be in 3.5 years.

Last I heard (over a year ago) if I go to a different Medicare Advantage provider I legally have the option to return to my current insurer the following year, so I could get back to Kaiser next open enrollment period in late 2016. I don't know the details and possible downside, whether it's a one time deal or if I could get my current PCP with Kaiser on return, or if all this is still the law.
 
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z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
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DPT would know all about the insurance crap, I'd talk to your cousin about the best course to talk.

Additionally, if you do get surgery again, I'd advise not going back to the same PT that you went to previously. If you ended up with lots of scar tissue, that means they did not do a very good job at treating you.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
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Additionally, if you do get surgery again, I'd advise not going back to the same PT that you went to previously. If you ended up with lots of scar tissue, that means they did not do a very good job at treating you.
I was told there is no proof that is true...
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,362
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They had several PTs to recommend (both the surgeon and his trusty assistant), but one in particular was obviously at the top of their list and I therefore chose her. Thus, I trusted her and tried to adhere to her regimen. I still do AFAIK all the exercises and stretches she had me doing in my recuperation. However, as I say, I'm having major problems now in spite of my never having taken up the 2 miles/day every-day swimming which I had decided was responsible for the problem. I have wondered in very recent years if maybe the average 1.5 hour/day/7 days-a-week weight room training I was doing before each 2 mile swim session prior to the flair up I had in ~1995 may have contributed or maybe even been the cause of my problems. I guess I'll never know the answer to that one but I was not aware of an incident in the weight room.

I got my primary physician's message concerning the MRI:

Your MRI does not have a labrum tear or supraspinatus tear.
There is a ganglion cyst, moderate arthritis, and small micro tearing which is non-surgical.

I can offer a cortisone shot for comfort to see if it improves?
Otherwise, it is mostly chronic changes from normal wear and tear.

If worsening symptoms then I can refer to ortho, but arthroscopic surgery is not warranted based on MRI results.
I hope you agree.

Of course, I do not know to what extent I should trust this. In 2002, an MRI evidently gave no clue that I had a serious SLAP lesion labrum tear that absolutely needed arthroscopic repair. As well, prior to the 2002 surgery I did not respond to cortisone shots.
 
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Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,362
9,241
136
My MD relations (2) think I should not seek surgery based on the MRI and Xray reports. One thinks I should try physical therapy, the other says cortisone shots may work, likely more than one, maybe 3 spaced 4-6 months apart. I've been doing the exercises recommended, the pain hasn't been too bad the last week or two. I intend to make an appointment with a physical therapist, that's my next move... and to keep doing those extra exercises suggested by my MD cousin.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
Sounds like you basically just need to do the PT and stop using that shoulder. Essentially, if the MRI is right, if I were you, I would treat this like a pulled muscle, etc.

Not much else you can do really, it might just be something you have to manage and try to not ever make worse.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,369
6,195
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i had an mri a few months ago too for my shoulder (ended up being tendonitis and maybe a very minor tear that was so small they weren't even sure, and also had a cyst in my bone) and am back at the gym as of last week for the first time in 3 months. shoulder still is not 100%. i was trying 50lb dumbell presses today and it just hurt too much so i stopped. it's really pissing me off but i just have to take it easy on the shoulder until it's 100%.

it definitely feels A LOT better though. it doesn't hurt when i did squats, pullups, rows, curls, and not that much doing barbell bench press so that is good. i'm still going light with the weights though until it feels closer to 100%.
 
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