I had my surgery (Harrington fusion) years ago, in 1967 at the age of 16. In the late 1970's or early 1980's, i heard for the first time about magnetic resonance (MR) imagery. But this (at least at the time) could not be used for patients with metal in their bodies. Metal was a contraindication because of the magnetism, in other words. At the time, I didn't have any condition requiring an MR. But I was scared. Maybe sometime in the future, I would need an MR but couldn't have one, and then I would have to go through some invasive, painful diagostic procedure instead. Just the sort of thing that MR was supposed to prevent.
I would like to add that my Harrington rods have never set off a metal detector at an airport. In other words, not very magnetic. So why should they be a problem?
Fortunately, my impression now is that metal implants no longer prevent the taking of MR images. Maybe they have liberalised, or maybe they make better MR machines that take just as good (maybe better) pictures but use less magnetism. They don't seem to talk about metal as a contraindication any more.
I have even had an MR taken, of my knee. It was taken using an MR machine which only surrounds the leg, not where the Harrington rods are.
But what happens if I need an MR of some other part of the body (where the rods are) next time? Anyone with experience/knowledge in this area?
I would like to add that my Harrington rods have never set off a metal detector at an airport. In other words, not very magnetic. So why should they be a problem?
Fortunately, my impression now is that metal implants no longer prevent the taking of MR images. Maybe they have liberalised, or maybe they make better MR machines that take just as good (maybe better) pictures but use less magnetism. They don't seem to talk about metal as a contraindication any more.
I have even had an MR taken, of my knee. It was taken using an MR machine which only surrounds the leg, not where the Harrington rods are.
But what happens if I need an MR of some other part of the body (where the rods are) next time? Anyone with experience/knowledge in this area?
Comment