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MRI Safety
I have 2 steel rods fused in my back from surgery in 1983. Is it safe for me to have MRI?
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
I have 2 steel rods fused in my back from surgery in 1983. Is it safe for me to have MRI?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
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Where are the rods? I’ve had rods and screws at L3-4 at least 30 yrs. Countless brain and spine MRI’s. No problems, but ask your dr. AND double check w/all techs involved. Best wishes!
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Hug
2 ReactionsSafe, but be sure and advise the technicians of your hardware and its age. They will probably schedule you on the lower strength 1.5 Tesla in order to get a clearer image. The main trouble is artifact that can obscure whatever you are wanting imaged, especially if it is near the hardware. The doctor ordering the scan might choose a different modality, say CT scanning if they are aware of the possibility of interference.
If you were looking for the loosening of screws or migration of hardware an MRI could further the migration of metals not secured.
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Hug
4 ReactionsHi. I have 2 rods on my spine as well, since 1980. I've had 3 MRIs - 2 were on the 1.5 T and one on the 3 T. Nothing bad happened, but nowadays, per advice from this forum, I request the 1.5 T.
Thank You