I have an MRI scheduled for this evening for suspected patello-femoral damage. I want it to show something but i’ve laid off of running for a while due to the injury (3x/wk with the patello-chotstrap thing as a crutch that allows me to run with greatly reduced pain) - so its not super painful right now.
Will running at lunch today make imaging structural stuff in the knee difficult to do (thinking additional inflammation may cloud things)?
Not wanting to ‘squeeze’ a run in, but just want my MRI visit to be worthwhile.
You have no doubt already had the MRI by now but may I ask why did you have an $1800 test to tell you that you have PFPS (Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome)/ Runners knee? But to answer your question, the MRI will not be affected by your run re: blocking the view of the chief complaint. That is the beauty of an MRI actually, tells us where the soft tissue damage is. But still, I am wondering who authorized the test and with that is your insurance covering it? I do hope that you are not paying out of pocket for the test? Good luck with rehab and I hope that the test gave you the piece of mind you wished for. ERIK
Do you guys really pay 1800 for an MRI?
We can get them here within 48hrs for about $500.
I have this newfangled thing called “insurance” that pays for my medical care.
Do you guys really pay 1800 for an MRI?
We can get them here within 48hrs for about $500.
I have this newfangled thing called “insurance” that pays for my medical care.
you do realize that although "insurance’ pays your individual bill, in the end we all pay for it
Thanks everyone for the replies. Yes, the PFPS is only suspected by the orthopedic specialist (HMO network). He’s not a runner himself, but treats many distance runners. Because it was only suspected by range of motion tests and feels, he authorized the MRI.
I did go on a short run prior to the imaging in hopes of amplifying what injury is there. Not ‘fishing’ for an injury, but have run 3x since an early Nov IM; each 0.5 mi long before pain reduced me to a walk. And in the meantime getting serious about rehab and have gotten lots of solid advice from previous PFPS posts on ST.
I hear you loud and clear about “having newfangled insurance” but the problem I have with ordering an MRI for a condition such as PFPS will glean little, if any, useful information other than “you have inflammation at the area of chief complaint.” Go looking for zebras and you find zebras.
I assumed that the ortho used his carefully taken chief complaint history and went through a litany of orthopedic tests that are VERY easy to perform to come to the conclusion that the patient was experiencing PFPS (see original post).
I can’t offer advice, but I do want to know how it turns out - I think I’m in the same boat in terms of knee injury. But I’m finally about to see an ortho that specializes in triathlon and distance running injuries, so hopefully he can tell me more than my last doc: “Ibuprofen. And try running with your foot cocked sideways.” (he specialized in treating ballerinas…sigh).
Wow,
In Ottawa, you can have an 8-9 month waiting list for an MRI. If you drive 2 minutes across the border to Quebec, you can get the imaging for $400-750 (depending) within 48hrs.
Funny how many people choose pay for the scan and it has really helped shape the diagnosis and/or treatment.
It amazes me the difference in price for the same unsubsidised machine and the same technologists etc.
Thanks
I understand your point Martin but as you saw in my previous post(s) I have a hard time with ordering an MRI for PFPS signs and symptoms unless the patient has had no change with conservative treatment for several weeks. I do get frustrated that such very valuable tests are out of reach financially for so many here in the states especially for those without health-care coverage. It is a frustration that I do not see getting any better especially with the economy in the state that it is in currently either. A good thorough history and physical exam goes a long way though as you have found no doubt.