Abnormal MRI 'need not indicate spinal injury'RSS Feed

Hockey players hwith abnormal hip and pelvis magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) display no symptoms of skeletal or spinal injury, research shows.

Researchers from the Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University found that 70 per cent of healthy professional and collegiate players had abnormal MRIs.

Authors suggest that the findings could serve as a warning to surgeons not to rely excessively on MRIs when diagnosing and selecting treatments for spinal injury.

Commenting on the findings, assistant professor at the center Matthew Silvis explained: "Unexpectedly, the majority of players had some abnormality in their MRI, but it didn't limit their playing ability.

"The study raises many questions, but its value to surgeons is to recognise that imaging doesn't replace good clinical judgment, which includes a detailed history and complete physical exam."

In January, research presented to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggested that seeking treatment for back pain within the first six months of symptoms occuring are likely to have better treatment outcomes.

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