The white ghost in between the two bones is my unwound ACL, it should look like dark bandThe MRI took 15 minutes to complete four scans in four different axes. Holding still is not my problem nor is sticking my leg through a drum of a front-loader washing machine. But the noise from the strong magnetic field during the first scan was awful loud, like being subjected to an amplified sound sample of a traveling star destroyer badly in need of a tune-up. The second scan was relatively quite compared to the first so I was caught off guard when the 3rd started up just as loud as the first. It startled me and for a few seconds as my heart pounded in my chest, I worried that I moved my leg, botching the test. I had to practice breathing exercises to lower my blood pressure, calm my flight response. Then I started to shiver a bit from the cold air. I wanted to perhaps close my eyes, try to relax but it was impossible with the sound of a lawnmower inches from my head. Soon enough, the test ended and I hobbled back to the changing room to retrieve my pants.
Had I had this injury when I was in high school, I think I would have studied Radiology in college. Seriously. Medical imaging technologies are fascinating and are definitely the pudding. I’ll take pudding over slicing me open to discover the ‘proof’ any day.
Dr. K’s diagnosis was proven correct yesterday. I did in fact tear my ACL unfortunately. In the same split second when the accident occurred, my femur slipped backwards and bruised the back of my tibia. You can see that in the picture, in the form of a white shadow on the lower bone. The injury also resulted in squeezing my medial meniscus, thank dog, I didn’t tear it. As Dr. S explained this all to me, I had a hard time imagining that all this happened during one faulty hyper extended step. You’d think an injury like this deserved a heroic tackle. Something other than fatigue.
So far all of these examinations (X-ray, MRI, diagnoses) have cost me only 10 Euro. Public transportation to and from the doctor’s offices: 8 Euro. The orthopedic doctor lent me a super chic, all black, almost D&G (alas, they were missing rhinestones) crutches. I’m so happy the Orthopedic doctor, Radiologist, and Physical Therapist are all close-by to our apartment. My public insurance covers six physiotherapy/Electrical Stimulation/Ultrasound [Reizstrom, Ultraschall und Eisbehandlung] sessions for the next month. I will visit the orthopedic doctor in April to check on my progress. Despite all of the physical therapy my shin will still be unstable so in the near future I will get my ACL replaced.
So far my experience with German public health care system has been extremely positive. Dr. S explained everything (although rather quickly and he didn’t seem too concerned how I injured myself, everyone assumed this was a ski injury) and he wrote spoke a letter that described his assessment of the tomography. He had seen at least 10 people before me and he had 4 people waiting for their MRIs when I left. I’ll assume that was a Modern 3 tesla clinical MRI scanner, so they have to go through patients quickly to offset the costs. Dr. K, the orthopedic, was very patient with me, explained further in German when I didn’t understand a word and how the surgery will be when I decided to go through with it. I’m extremely happy I read up on the injury in German and studied MRI scans before I went through the examinations. I was able to understand and assess my options with the doctors.
My fiance recently went through an MRI for a neck/shoulder injury and as soon as she got back to the office she went me an e-mail titled “MRIs are loud!” So, your description of the racket that thing produces is very much in tune with hers
Hmm, so the prognosis was bad but not nearly as bad as it could’ve been, eh? And yeah, it takes surprisingly little to do heavy damage to these bodies of ours. Good thing you have such a nice health care system there, same sort of thing would’ve cost a fortune here for sure.
It’s true. I’m lucky my bones are back in place where they are supposed to be. The radiologist was astounded that the accident wasn’t worse.
Oh darn. I was hoping that like me, you were going to escape surgery. How’s the pain now, anyway? Are you comfortable at least? In an immobilizer for the knee?
Get well soon!
I’m sorry that your results were positve for a torn ACL. I’ve heard of it on TV and ESPN, but didnt know anyone who actually tore one.
Glad you studied up on radiology terms
@ Maribeth: Me too. I don’t want take up chess for sports , so surgery is the way to go.
The knee is going through it’s stages, I’d say. Not as damn painful as the first two days. But now it’s sore to the touch and when I walk. It’s only comfortable when it’s on ice and elevated. I wear a brace when I walk, otherwise none b/c it will hamper circulation.
I had an MRI scan on my knee a few years ago. I remember it being loud as well. :blink: