MRI of the elbow joint

introduction

An MRI of the elbow is always appropriate (indexed) if soft tissue damage in the area of ​​the elbow is to be excluded.

If a patient has "only" a spoke (radius) or cubit (Ulna) broken in the area of ​​the elbow, an X-ray is usually sufficient to localize and assess the break. However, if the doctor suspects that muscles or tendons in the area of ​​the elbow have also been injured, an MRI of the elbow should also be performed, as muscles and other soft tissues such as fat can hardly be assessed in x-rays.

Procedure and contrast agent

Of the Procedure for an MRI examination of the elbow usually looks the same. First of all, it is important that the patient is informed by a doctor (ideally the Radiologist, so Radiologists) enlightened has been. Here the patient is also asked whether he metal or one Pacemaker implanted this one Exclusion criterion for an MRI.

Now there are several ways to do an MRI of the elbow. For one, there is the option of a MRI with contrast agent close. Here the contrast agent is in the vein injected and then distributed in the bloodstream. In the MRI image of the elbow, you can now see very well whether certain areas are filled with more contrast agent. This is always the case when a certain area has a higher blood flow as is usually the case with tumors. Thus can Tumors be better represented with the aid of the contrast agent, wherein Tumors in the elbow area are rare are to be found.

More often is therefore an MRI of the elbow without Contrast media made because the contrast agent in some cases too allergic Can cause reactions there mostly containing iodine Contrast medium is used. To do this, the patient has to put himself into a tube without having the contrast agent injected into the vein beforehand, in which the images of the elbow are then taken. Mostly the patient has to lay on your stomach so that the area of ​​the elbow is displayed completely and clearly. It is important that the patient lies down in the tube before lying down all metal parts in or on the body removed. Even if the elbow is "only" picked up, the navel piercing or other jewelry must still be removed.

How long does an MRI of an elbow take?

The Duration of an MRI of the elbow is approximately 20-40 minutes.
During this time, the patient should lie as calmly as possible in the tube and ideally not move (breathing movements are of course excluded). Since some patients get nervous from the narrowness of the tube (Claustrophobia), it is important to always let the radiologist know if there are problems like shortness of breath or panic occur.
In such cases the patient can also use a light sedative (Sedation) so that the panic / claustrophobia cannot break out in the first place. Many patients get it too Headphones with relaxing music on the ears to mask the sounds made by the MRI. Therefore: Even if you are a beeping or soft pounding you shouldn't let yourself be unsettled because these noises are caused by the MRI machine and are completely normal.
If you have a pronounced claustrophobia, you will find solutions here: MRI for claustrophobia

Since in an MRI scan of the elbow the Arm stretched out and lying up it may be that the patient falls asleep in the course of the examination or the posture becomes uncomfortable for the patient. In case of doubt, it is important to let the radiologist know and remember that the examination will not take too long and, despite the inconvenience for the diagnosis, it is very important that the patient is keep the arm as still as possible otherwise there will be shake and the resulting artifacts, which can then make an accurate assessment of the MRI of the elbow impossible.

What can be judged?

Soft tissue damage in particular can be diagnosed using MRI. Since the MRI does not have any radiation exposure and therefore poses no risk at all for children, the MRI is often the examination method of choice.

On the one hand, inflammation can be detected in the MRI, such as inflammation in the joint (arthritis) or an abscess. Age-related joint wear (osteoarthritis) can also be detected well with the help of the MRI of the elbow. The proof of muscle damage, a tendon rupture or a ruptured ligament is particularly important. An MRI of the elbow can therefore also provide information about the so-called tennis elbow (Humeri radial epicondylitis).

MRI for tennis elbow

This inflammation in tennis elbows is caused by overloading the muscle tendons in the area of ​​the elbow and is particularly common in tennis players due to the way they hold their arms. The inflammation arises from the fact that the tendons of the origin are repeatedly torn due to the overloading of the extensor muscles of the forearm and then become inflamed by the constant mechanical stress. This inflammatory process of the tennis elbow is very painful for the patient.
With the help of an MRI of the elbow, the tennis elbow can be easily diagnosed because the inflammation and the defective tendon can be seen well.
However, an MRI for a tennis elbow is the exception in diagnostics.
However, if there is a suspicion of a partial tear (torn tendon) of the common extensor tendon on the elbow, MRI is superior to ultrasound in terms of the extent and quality of the images.
Read more about our topic: Tennis elbow

MRI on a golfer's arm / elbow

Comparable to tennis elbow / tennis elbow can also be done with one Golfer Arm / Golfer Elbow Recognize injuries to the tendon very well.
As with tennis elbows, elbow MRIs are not a standard diagnostic tool for golfers' elbows.
If no healing can be achieved with consistent basic therapy of more than 3 months and if the ultrasound shows suspicious areas at the tendon insertion, an MRI of the elbow is indicated to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnosing tendon damage with ultrasound is equally difficult for tennis elbows and golfers' elbows.

costs

The cost of an MRI of the elbow will be usually covered by the health insuranceas long as the MRI is performed at the doctor's instructions and not at the patient's request.
An MRI of the elbow may otherwise be useful for the patient quite expensive without medical indication The prices vary from hospital to hospital vary and should therefore be inquired about on site.
In the legal area there are usually costs in between 250 - 400 € on.
The cost of private insurance is usually higher.

You can find more detailed information about the costs on our website: Cost of the MRI examination

MRI of the elbow in the child

An MRI of the elbow in a child is often necessary after falling on the elbow if the cause of the symptoms cannot be reached with alternative diagnostic means.

An MRI of the elbow on one Child does not pose any problems because of an MRI no radiation exposure arise. The MRI is especially useful for injuries in which soft tissues may have been damaged Means of choice.

Since compared to the CT and roentgen no radiation, the MRI is very popular with children. Still, children can Fear of tightness (claustrophobia) of the tube and thus begin to move too much.
You should try to relieve the child of the fear of the tube so that the child does not move as much as possible, otherwise the image will shake, which will make it difficult to adequately assess the MRI image of the elbow. Some hospitals have one especially for children colorful lighting for the room and also children's CDs, which leads to the child becoming relax can. In addition, the Parents present so that the child can also relax. In rare cases, the child can also receive sedation, a means that calms the child down and enables them to relax and, in the best case, even fall asleep.