MRI

What is an MRI Scan?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging and is a medical technique used to visualize the details of the internal structures of the body. During an MRI scan, the part of the body being studied is placed inside a large machine. This machine uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves that affect atoms within the body to ultimately create a rotating magnetic field that can be detected by the scanner of the MRI machine and used to construct an image of the scanned area. The pictures produced are able to show a great contrast between different types of soft tissue, unlike an X-ray that can only clearly show the contrast between soft tissue and bone density. This is why MRIs are often used to diagnose problems related to the spine and back pain – because they can identify muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine and the spaces between the vertebrae through which nerves travel in addition to the vertebral discs.

MRI of the Spine

An MRI is able to look at the entire length of the spine and can provide evidence of disc herniations, radiculopathy, general inflammation or degeneration, and many other spinal conditions. As pain management specialists, physiatrists are often able to hypothesize the exact source of one's back pain through physical examination, but oftentimes an MRI of the spine is necessary to confirm a suspected diagnosis and determine if the severity of the condition requires back surgery, or more conservative back surgery alternatives such as spinal injections.