An MRI Is a Useful Tool for Diagnosing Injuries

If you have been injured in an accident, your doctor will likely order tests to see how serious those injuries are. One of the more popular tests is a magnetic resonance imaging test, or MRI.

An MRI “is a noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels,” per Johns Hopkins Medicine. If the MRI reveals extensive harm and trauma to your body – trauma that was caused by a car accident – then having this test could lead to better documentation of the severity of injuries.

Should I get an MRI if my doctor recommends it?

If your doctor recommends an MRI after a personal injury, you should consider it. An MRI can reveal the extent of your trauma and that could help you get the proper treatment. If you decide not to get the MRI, the doctor may not be able to find what exactly is wrong with you, meaning that they may not know how to treat your injury or condition. As a result, your injuries could become worse over time.

The other reason why it is crucial that you get the MRI is because you want to show that you listened to and followed the doctor’s orders. The other driver’s insurance company will be looking for any excuse to deny your claim; failing to follow your doctor’s orders could be seen as you failing to mitigate your damages/injuries. It can also be interpreted to mean that your injuries weren’t actually that severe.

Examples of injuries that may require an MRI

A doctor may order an MRI to detect potential injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Head injury or skull fracture
• Spinal cord injury
• Organ damage to the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, and more
• Joint injuries
• Herniated discs
• Pinched nerves
• Muscle and ligament damage
• Fractured bones
• Sprains and strains

Are there other imaging tests that can show how serious your injuries are?

There are two other imaging tests that can show how serious your injuries are. These two tests are:

1. X-rays: X-rays are a medical tool that show images of the bones, teeth, heart, and more. Doctors may order this type of medical test if you have a broken bone, punctured lung, or a dislocated joint.
2. CT scans: A CT scan takes X-ray images from various angles of the human body and creates cross-sectional photos, which gives an in-depth look at the blood vessels, tissues, and bones. If a doctor wants more detailed images of a broken or fractured bone, organ damage, internal bleeding, or bruising or swelling on the brain, they may order a CT scan.

The Maryland personal injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. can help you get the medical care you need and deserve after an accident. We have spent over four decades building a solid reputation among our clients, and we are known to do everything we can to seek the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. If you are ready to work with a firm that you can trust and depend on throughout the entire legal process, please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your first appointment today. Our team is available to assist you at multiple offices across Maryland.