How much does the MRI arthrogram tell you?

[Queen of the Twist]

I have been jumping from different forums and trying to find the sequence of events in general for diagnosing the tear vs. the root cause of it. I also notice that often the MRI doesn't reveal much.

If you have an impingement, how is that diagnosed. Is that from the MRI, symptoms, both or you don't know until you get scoped? I'd really like to know the total condition of my hip but get the impression that the MRI doesn't do that.
Thanks!

[rachael]

Hi

I had numerous tests to diagnose my tear, first i had x rays about 15 of them which showed bilateral hip dysplasia (Shallow hip sockets) and this is a big cause of tears. I then had a MRI which come back that i had ligament damage but could not see a tear.

I was seeing physio x2 week and she said without hesitation that i had a tear as i kept catching and hip giving way. I was still in pain and had a 3D CT scan and mri arthogram and bingo the tear was found. It has taken 2 years in all to diagnose me as i have had to wait for all the tests but at least now i know what it is wrong as i was starting to think i was going mad.

Going next week to see my consultant 2hrs away to see if he will operate on the tear as my consultant at the local hospital feels out of his depth repairing it and he feels i will need a hip osteotomy sooner rarther than later.

Hope this helps


Rachaelxx

[Queen of the Twist]

Yes Rachel, that helps a lot!! The more I read of individual stories, the more it seems you really don't know much unless you get a scope. I also have a shallow socket and arthritis. I thought the arthritis was due to the subluxation but now I realize it is secondary to the tear. Even if the arthrogram doesn't show one... how could you have these EXACT same symptoms and NOT have a tear?

Is there a differentiating diagnosis for other causes? In otherwords, can these same symptoms be due to other causes? (I'm thinking outloud here unless you know the answer to that...)

[MaryC]

Hi there,
I had much the same experience as Rachel. Lots of xrays and the MRI mentioned a 'probable tear' but it was hard to see. The first private surgeon I went to ignored that and was tossing up whether I should have an osteotomy or a full hip replacement. Neither appealed to me as the xrays weren't showing that much joint wear but my symptoms were getting worse over time ( this all took nearly 3 yrs).
I also have hip dysplasia but only mild arthritis starting.
The surgeon who did my arthroscope recommended that straight away and does education sessions for other doctors as many are not aware of this option. ( I went to one for him) He recommends an MRI arthrogram with gadolinium contrast which shows up tears much better.
cheers, MaryC

[Queen of the Twist]

Thanks Mary. I understand about the dragging of feet on getting diagnosed. I've been missed 3 times upon complaining about my symptoms which are obvious now that I've visited here. You would think a patient with a complaint of ANY hip pain would get the physical diagnosis for a tear at least!

With the info that has been shared here I can go to my primary doc Thursday and TELL her I want the MRI arthrogram with gadolinium contrast and I want to see the orthopedist on staff who is our hip specialist (his specialty is minimally invasive total joint replacement and sport medicine.) I'm not asking... I'm telling! She's always been very good to work with and I want to get this ball rolling since it looks like I have to be a super strong advocate for my health now.

[focus_911]

MRI Arthrograms can say a lot. MRI's being today's best tool to diagnose thousands of conditions and illnesses worldwide. MRI scanners are fabulous pieces of equipment. They save thousands of lives every year by diagnosing many conditions, diseases, illnesses, traumatic injuries.
What the problem is at the end of the day even as fantastic as they can be they are only machines and can miss things as well. Even the best attentions in trying to diagnose problems such as what many of us go thru each day can be difficult as tears, detachments, even frayed cartilage do not always show up on these very expensive scans.

Many of us have gone thru arthrograms with no good results, some of us have had some finally gotten the answers to our problems. It seems to be sometimes its just the luck of the draw.

Hope you are able to find the right answers to the concerns you have. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Queen of the Twist]

Thanks focus! I will keep you posted.