Hand and Wrist

MR is most useful in the investigation of unexplained pain in the wrist and hand, and when there is a suspected fracture. High quality pictures of the hand and wrist are obtained using a specialised coil and give detailed information about the bones, joints, nerves tendons and muscles.

Normal wrist.
This is an image of a normal wrist. It shows four of the eight bones which make up the wrist and the tendons and nerves which control the hand.

Unsuspected fracture.
This patient had had persistent pain in the wrist since a fall 12 weeks ago. X-rays had been normal but the MRI showed a fracture of the scaphoid bone. This fracture was subsequently treated surgically. This is a common clinical scenario; scaphoid fractures can be very difficult to identify on a radiograph.

$MRI scan showing an unsuspected fracture$

MRI Scan showing a tumor of a median nerve

Tumour of median nerve.
This man had a long history of pain in the wrist, which radiated into the hand. X-rays and clinical examination had been negative. The MR scan showed a small neuroma (nerve tumour) arising from the median nerve. His symptoms resolved completely following excision of the neuroma

Rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist joint .
This 37-year-old housewife had suffered from increasing pain and stiffness in the wrist for several months. Clinical examination had shown a swollen wrist. X-rays at the onset of her symptoms had been normal and the blood tests which the general practitioner had arranged had also been normal. The MR scan showed thickening of the lining of the joint and small erosions (regions of bone loss) in the small bones of the wrist. These MR findings indicated a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. She was referred to a consultant rheumatologist who initiated appropriate treatment which has given sustained improvement. Several new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis have become available over the last few years which are very effective in rheumatoid arthritis, both in reducing symptoms and slowing or halting disease progression.

MR Scan used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist joint

MRI scan showling tenosynovitis (repetative stress injury)

Tenosynovitis.
This is the MR scan of the wrist of a 28-year-old typist who had worsening pain and stiffness in her right wrist joint. A dispute between the typist's professional organisation and the employer was resolved when the MR scan showed clear evidence of inflammation of the extensor tendons in the wrist. This is a repetitive stress injury, due to excessive keyboard work, and the symptoms rapidly reduced when the patient was transferred to telephone and reception duties.

Cervical Spine Scans

Open MRI scanning can diagnose cervical spine degeneration causing upper arm pain, weakness or numbness of legs or spinal injury due to trauma.

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Personal Injury Cases

We have done over 2000 medicolegal reports including attendance at Civil and Crown courts to present evidence.

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Sports Injuries

Our open MRI scans can investigate degeneration or trauma from sports injuries.

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