This scan of a wrist shows the intricate bone structure at the base of the hand.

Your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage provide stability and movement to your body. So, when injury or disease causes harm to your all-important musculoskeletal system, you want your physician to diagnose your problem so you can get moving again.

Washington County Hospital just made orthopedic problem-solving easier by introducing the latest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to the region. The 3T MRI delivers twice the scanning strength of more common 1.5T MRI systems for precise images.

MRIs use magnet and radio waves to create anatomic images of your body’s structure and organs. While X-rays only show bone, MRI scans show all tissues within the body, including bones, muscles, cartilage, and fatty tissue. Unlike the 1.5T MRI, the more sophisticated 3T MRI can identify minute tears in tendons or gradation of cartilage damage.

The 3T MRI’s major advantage is diagnosing articular damage and deterioration. “The evaluation of articular cartilage abnormalities directly impacts treatment planning and surgical options,” says orthopedic surgeon Robert Cirincione, MD. According to Dr. Cirincione, the status of cartilage, from normal to a bone-on-bone condition, greatly affects the treatment plan. By viewing precise articular cartilage images, Dr. Cirincione can decide what procedure, if any, is most appropriate for the patient.

Detailed images, like this scan of a patient's ankle, help doctors make accurate diagnoses.

In addition, the 3T helps with doctor-patient communication and setting expectations. The visual detail arms the surgeon with more information prior to an arthroscopy or other joint procedure. The orthopedic surgeon can now tell a patient what to expect post-surgery. That is crucial information if you’re a mother with small children and require crutches for three months.

Orthopedic surgeons also find the 3T useful in monitoring patients’ response to rheumatoid arthritis medications. The images can show the effectiveness of these medications in reducing inflammation and slowing joint damage.

Athletes can get quick resolution of sports-related injuries. The 3T technology can detect stress fractures caused by joint overuse such as repetitive jumping or long distance running. By showing close-up detail like the honeycomb pattern of the bone, tiny cracks are illuminated.

If your bones, tendons, ligaments, or joints are acting up, ask your orthopedic specialist about the 3T MRI at Professional Court Imaging, located on Eastern Boulevard. A physician referral is necessary for all diagnostic imaging services. For more information, call 301-790-8990.