elbow MRI

[Coop77]

Anyone ever had one? Doctor told me they inject 10ml of dye into the joint. Not looking forward to it.

[frank2738]

i had one 3 years ago. they didnt inject anything in to me though. keep me posted. i am thinking about getting another one.

[Coop77]

Did it today. A doctor put iodine all over my arm (bad idea wearing a white shirt) and injected my elbow with magnetic dye, but it wasn't that bad. Then they taped a vitamin E capsule (kind of odd) to the inside of my arm as a "marker" and I had to lie down in the MRI tube with my arm pointing up like the Statue of Liberty for 30 minutes and not move. It sounded like a machine gun next to my ear. The worst part of it was being still for so long, and getting the band-aid off my hairy arm.

They gave me a CD with 123 cross-section images of my arm that you can scroll through like a movie. Kind of cool to look at.. but of course I have no idea what I'm seeing.. just bones and tendons. Tomorrow I see the doctor.

Btw, I don't recommend this unless you know your insurance will cover it. I'm told the final bill will be $4k to $6k. I only have to pay 10% of that and I'm thinking it's still pretty pricey.

[frank2738]

let me know what happens. thank God i have great insurance. an mri only cost me $18.00 co-pay