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MRI After Hip Replacement

Posted , 9 users are following.

Dsilk05
Dsilk05

I’m suppose to have an MRI of my lower back. My neuro asked if I could have it done since I’ve had hip replacements. I told him I didn’t know. Anyways he’s going to schedule it. 

My question is can I have it done after 2 hip replacements? One being just 12 weeks ago. Does it depend what kind of implant it is? 

I’ve read that sometimes they can bypass the implant. Also read you need to remove any metal ur wearing such as jewelry. 

I just read an article in which a man walked into a MRI room carrying an oxygen tank and was sucked to the machine because the machine was on. He was told it was off. 

This put a scare in me as I don’t recall if they have ever asked in the past if I’m wearing any type of metal. I had an MRI done several years ago. 

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • jane83133
    jane83133 Dsilk05

    Posted

    As an MRI scanner uses a huge magnet I would think that they need to know if you have a metal implant so they could protect it if needed. There must be ways around it and the radiographers will know and won’t put you at risk xx
  • Ducksoup
    Ducksoup Dsilk05

    Posted

    There are so many misnomers and fairy tales about MRI’s.  I’ve had a bunch and my neurosurgeon just ordered more of my back.  On the order sheets it has a place to note prosthetic devices.  You also should be asked about them just before the test.  If they don’t ask you, tell them anywayI already have metal in my neck and have had three cervical MRI’s without a problem.  I don’t know what they do but the MRI is a specific tool for specific areas.  
  • margot50
    margot50 Dsilk05

    Posted

    Hi Dsilk05, I'm astonished that your Neuro asked you the question ! He's the doctor, shouldn't he know or find out for you?! You will need to discuss your own situation with your MRI staff I suppose, since your Neuro didn't know which I think is strange. I had a THR in August 2017 and I'm scheduled for an MRI of my spine soon. I was concerned too about stories I'd heard about MRI's and people with metal implants. The scheduling people asked me about metal and I said YES I definitely do have metal, I had a THR with metal. They asked me when I had it done and so on. They said it would be fine, and that I should remind the MRI people at the time, which I definitely will !!!  I am assuming that it's okay as long as they know the situation. It better be okay , I have to trust them !! smile Ask your questions and get reassurance for your own situation.

    • Dsilk05
      Dsilk05 margot50

      Posted

      Thanks Margot I have asked the people at MRI place. I was also wondering why the neuro didn’t know. 
  • chris13920
    chris13920 Dsilk05

    Posted

    Isn't he supposed to know? Why is he asking you? Get a second opinion!!!!

  • KarmaMama
    KarmaMama Dsilk05

    Posted

    You can certainly have it done. I just had an MRI of the lumbar spine. I only have one hip replaced, but it was no problem. I can't imagine why any neuro would not know this, however, so that is a bit alarming. Where/when did he or she train? I would consider another doctor!

    • Dsilk05
      Dsilk05 KarmaMama

      Posted

      KarmaMama he’s been practicing for several years. 
  • KarmaMama
    KarmaMama Dsilk05

    Posted

    PS: as you know, don't believe everything you read! It would be ridiculous for any MRI facility to leave the machine on when not being used, and that makes no sense whatsoever.

    You do have to remove jewelry, etc,, but it is not dangerous to you if they know you had a THR.

  • Ducksoup
    Ducksoup Dsilk05

    Posted

    Wow, some got into an uproar over this.  It is not the Doctor’s job to tell you how the MRI is done, it is that of the technician.  Your MD orders the testándolo reads the results.

    • margot50
      margot50 Ducksoup

      Posted

      Hi Ducksoup, while it's true it's not the job of the Doctor to know how ithe MRI is  done, don't you think he should know whether or not a person who's had a joint replacement can have an MRI??  I certainly do ! This should be basic knowledge for a medical professional, particularly for a specialist in the field of Neurology.

      Just my two cents' worth.

    • Ducksoup
      Ducksoup margot50

      Posted

      Of course but why bother the MD with those issues when the technician is the expert.  Physicians are knowledgable of the MRI facets but are not trained in the ins and outs of the procedure.  For example, I was a practicing psychologist, but knew much more about psychotherapy than many of the psychiatrists who worked for me.  They are not trained much in that area.  Very few psychiatrists I ever worked with could do psychotherapy or even wanted to but everyone assumed their psychiatrist was Dr. Freud.
    • KarmaMama
      KarmaMama Ducksoup

      Posted

      I agree that the the neuro does not need to be an expert on MRI. But it seems odd that he does not know if it is possible with a THR. Margot's point is well taken, even my PCP knows this. I personally would be upset if I were sent for a test, made the appointment, then went there only to have the technician tell me I was not eligible. Sounds like in this case, he ordered it without knowing the answer. Not trying to be annoying, just think it is odd.

    • Ducksoup
      Ducksoup KarmaMama

      Posted

      All doctor’s know this but she should just simply ask the MD what he meant to avoid the possibility of taking this out of context first, then fry his ass if he really didn’t know.  
    • jimbone
      jimbone Ducksoup

      Posted

      I would agree simply asking the MD is the most rational and straightforward way to avoid a misunderstanding.  However as most of us put so much trust in medical professionals, oftentimes misplaced, it makes firing them emotionally more difficult.  And explaining the past malfeasance of one doctor to another is a sticky proposal in such a close knit community.  There's also the long standing question not yet answered by science: olive oil, butter or lard.  The question returns us to a basic proposition that a well informed patient who acts as their own strong advocate makes the best patient.

    • Ducksoup
      Ducksoup jimbone

      Posted

      Funny, I fired a few psychiatrists and it felt good.  (When I was their boss)  Anyway, working around the US medical system for years I only see physicians as people struggling to be human.  
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