MRI Scanning....

We are able to offer a speedy solution to the sometimes long NHS waiting lists for MRI scans. Our Physiotherapists are trained to assess and conclude that an MRI scan will be beneficial to the speedy recovery of a patient.

Why Wait?

We have the system in place to refer patients privately (following physiotherapy assessment) for MRI scans at various hospitals in the North East. Waiting is usually reduced to 7days and results are returned to us 48hours after the scan.

What is an MRI scan?

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a fairly new technique that has been used since the beginning of the 1980s.

The MRI scan uses magnetic and radio waves, meaning that there is no exposure to X-rays or any other damaging forms of radiation.

What does an MRI scan show?

Using an MRI scanner, it is possible to make pictures of almost all the tissue in the body. Physiotherapists often recommend MRI scanning to ensure an accurate diagnosis of problems such as prolapsed disc (sciatica) or cartilage tears of the knee.

Having viewed the pictures, a radiologist can then compile a report outlining the type and severity of the injury and give a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis (length of time the injury will persist). This in-turn will lead to a more successful treatment out come.

How does an MRI scanner work?

The patient lies inside a large, cylinder-shaped magnet. Radio waves 10,000 to 30,000 times stronger than the magnetic field of the earth are then sent through the body. This affects the body's atoms, forcing the nuclei into a different position. As they move back into place they send out radio waves of their own. The scanner picks up these signals and a computer turns them into a picture. These pictures are based on the location and strength of the incoming signals.

What does an MRI scan show?

Using an MRI scanner, it is possible to make pictures of almost all the tissue in the body. The tissue that has the least hydrogen atoms (such as bones) turns out dark, while the tissue that has many hydrogen atoms (such as fatty tissue) looks much brighter. By changing the timing of the radiowave pulses it is possible to gain information about the different types of tissues that are present.

An MRI scan is also able to provide clear pictures of parts of the body that are surrounded by bone tissue, so the technique is useful when examining the brain and spinal cord.

Because the MRI scan gives very detailed pictures it is the best technique when it comes to finding tumours (benign or malignant abnormal growths) in the brain. If a tumour is present the scan can also be used to find out if it has spread into nearby brain tissue.

The technique also allows us to focus on other details in the brain. For example, it makes it possible to see the strands of abnormal tissue that occur if someone has multiple sclerosis and it is possible to see changes occurring when there is bleeding in the brain, or find out if the brain tissue has suffered lack of oxygen after a stroke.

The MRI scan is also able to show both the heart and the large blood vessels in the surrounding tissue. This makes it possible to detect heart defects that have been building up since birth, as well as changes in the thickness of the muscles around the heart following a heart attack. The method can also be used to examine the joints, spine and sometimes the soft parts of your body such as the liver, kidneys and spleen.

Call our free phone appointments line on
0800 043 8671