Are MRI's possible after ADR or fusion with metal inside the body???

[Gilbert P]

Hi Greg

Sorry you pain levels have ramped up. You are still in the recovery stages of the roller coaster ride hang on it will settle down.

Most metal hardware is not magenitic- Stainless, titanium, copper,etc Steel in not used

Gil

[trkdoc714]

Greg,

I read a study a while back on reducing the imagry of an MRI to T.8 from (I believe) T3. This reduction allowed a better view of metallic artifacts.

I'm not sure if the equipment used or the technicians have the ability to adjust the power.

Hope that helps.

Bob

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Greg,

If they are small fragments, like filings, I would suspect the ferrous part would rust out in a couple of days. These rust tattoos are a big problem if they are on the cornea of an eye. I use to have to dig them out at our clinic under a split lamp to prevent a permanent rust obstruction to vision. A topical anesthesia can be used for the procedure but after 1/2 hr or so the cornea lets you know in a big way it isn't happy.

[KBear]

I dunno if they'd be strong enough to move a cage or disc. Next time I'll leave my belt on and see what happens

Greg, keep your chin up mate, it's a long road managing these injuries.

I'm a dork, so I totally asked the tech who was putting me in the machine (pre ADR) what would happen if I had metal on me. She just showed me how when she stood close to it, her name tag (had a metal clip on it) would go to the machine and stick (she had to be pretty close for this to happen, so I seriously doubt it could affect a disc or cage). The eye thing makes sense b/c it is soft, so a pull could move a small piece of metal and tear your eye, whereas it would be very hard to move hardware in your spine.

[KBear]

Greg,

If they are small fragments, like filings, I would suspect the ferrous part would rust out in a couple of days. These rust tattoos are a big problem if they are on the cornea of an eye. I use to have to dig them out at our clinic under a split lamp to prevent a permanent rust obstruction to vision. A topical anesthesia can be used for the procedure but after 1/2 hr or so the cornea lets you know in a big way it isn't happy.

That sounds way freaking painful! My husband recently cut his eye on a piece of debris that flew up while mowing. He was in so much pain, his eye was swollen and he thought the debris was still in it. He went to the doctor and they used some special dye and lighting and saw that it was scratched badly. He was laid up in a dark room for a few days. So, I can't imagine having something dug out of my eye

[Jack-of-all-trades]

That sounds way freaking painful! My husband recently cut his eye on a piece of debris that flew up while mowing. He was in so much pain, his eye was swollen and he thought the debris was still in it. He went to the doctor and they used some special dye and lighting and saw that it was scratched badly. He was laid up in a dark room for a few days. So, I can't imagine having something dug out of my eye

Dug may be an oversymplication of words.
After locating by stain, to find all the little buggers, We used a product call Opthaine to numb the eye and a 18 ga needle to gradually scrape the sliver and any rust out. The Opthaine works great but should not be used over 3-4 times as it can damage the eye. This would be a time for a shorty course of 5/325 tylox (oxycodone & Tylenol assuming an opioid virgin) and eye patch to rest the eye. It should be all better in the next day or two.

[runagain]

Don't ever allow anyone to do an MRI if you have metal on your person that you shouldn't have on. In doubt, ask. They don't allow some metal things because it can be very dangerous in an MRI. Our hardware of any back sort shouldn't be a problem. There are some things that do not pass. There is usually a check list to make sure you do not have any contraindication to doing the test.
I don't remember what they did with my wedding ring, I think they covered it, maybe I took it off. Totally blanking on that.
The nice thing is the MRI does not hurtunless you cannot stand laying there on the table. Oh my back.
But then, you can take a nice warm, relaxing and forget about the day.

good night,

R

[Katie]

Gold is not affected by the magnets...so your rings are not an issue

[Justin]

MRI of the Spine <-- Click on this link.
There's some good information regarding metal and MRIs in the "How should I prepare?" section.