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Elbow MRI and nerve conduction test

Posted , 2 users are following.

sally00350
sally00350

Hi 

I have to a MRI done on both of my elbows as I get lots of  pain in them and have done for over a year. I was diagnosed with tennis and golfers elbow but that doesn't match my pain when I am tested for it. So I went to an elbow specailist consultant who wants me to get an MRI on both elbow and a nerve conduction test as well as it might now be cubital tunnel syndrome not problems with the tendons. 

Anyway my questions are how on earth do they MRI arms? I have had a MRI done on my back ond one done on my knee ages ago but I can't work out how they would MRI arms. Would you have to go into the machine as I am not very good in small spaces and would like to know ahead of time if I need to go in completely.

Also what deos a nerve conduction test involve?

thanks for your help

Sally

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • derek76
    derek76 sally00350

    Posted

    With nerve conduction tests a mild current is passed through the limb and the time it takes is measured. Some are done with clips on the skin others with needles stuck into the skin.... not as bad as it sounds. I had them on my legs and it took about twenty minutes.

    I think that any MRI involves you going into the tunnel.

    • derek76
      derek76 sally00350

      Posted

      Can you get your nerve conduction tests done locally ?  There seem not be many hospitals that do it and they are pretty busy.

      I had a 50 minute train journey to the nearest hospital doing it and on a Sunday afternoon. At 4.30 I thought that I would be the last patient but when I came out the waiting room had filled up again.

    • sally00350
      sally00350 derek76

      Posted

      I don't know, I am going privately and have to ring round the hostpitals near me I have got a list of 9 or so at the moment to call.

      Hopefully I can get one done not too far away. 

       

    • derek76
      derek76 sally00350

      Posted

      I would have thought that your GP or consultant would have advised you of local ones. Probably not near you but I had mine done at Hurstwood Park in Haywards Heath. It seemed to be the only one in East Sussex.
    • sally00350
      sally00350 derek76

      Posted

      I have got joint hyper mobility syndrome and wanted to go and see someone who was knowledgeable about the condition and who was going to be good with elbows so I ended up seeing someone an hour and a bit away from me. I can get it done there but it is a bit far so I am looking closer to home to see if I can find anyone nearer to me.
    • derek76
      derek76 sally00350

      Posted

      It is quite a long way to go for a test that takes about 15/20 minutes.
    • sally00350
      sally00350 derek76

      Posted

      I have discovered that the John Radcliffe do the nerve conduction test. Which isn't to far from me so I think I am going to end up going there.

       

    • sally00350
      sally00350 derek76

      Posted

      HI 

      I found out that to have an MRI of your elbows you have to lie on your stomach and have your arm out in front of you. Which I couldn't do as I find it hard to breathe on my front. So they tried with me on my side but I had a panic attack in the machine so had to leave the conventional MRI machine without a scan. Also found out they weren't sure if it would work and each elbow was going to take about 30 mins. So I found out about upright MRIs which are open at the top To have my elbows done there which is so much better but does cost more. To have the scans done there I sat on a stool with my arm on the table and leant forward so it was in teh right place. My mum could come with me and you can watch a dvd but we watched blue planet. It was so much better and I can't recommend them enough if anyone need a scan and can't bear small spaces( I can't spell the name on the phobia).

      The nerve conduction test is done with pads on your skin adn make the nerves tingle and jump a bit but isn't too bad. Then I had a test to check nerve function in the muscles which involed a needle and did hurt a bit but was bearable.

      Now just have to wait for the results. But thought I would post on here as I could find oout anywhere what happened when elbows were scanned. Also if you just google upright MRI and it will come up. I went to birmingham and they were very nice people and kept telling me how much longer I had left and that the pictures were very good. They also have scanner in leeds adn London.

      Sally

    • derek76
      derek76 sally00350

      Posted

      Well done on getting it in a scanner that suited you better. Now for a diagnosis of something they can easily help you with.
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