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Can An MRI Scan Or X-ray Detect Any Bone Abnormalities?

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Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Question: What causes abnormal hardening of the bone occur in a new fracture that is only five weeks old

I also wanted to know can an mri show a committed fracture and fragments that are out of place displaced and where they are located? My fracture is only five weeks old.

Also can an mri detect abnormal bone hardening or a fracture that is starting to heal when it is five weeks old.

Can an mri detect the exact location of the fracture its pattern its stability if it complete or not complete?
Can it show if the fracture is very small?

Can an mri detect any bone abnormalities? Can it detect osteoporosis or arthritis?

Can a standard x ray pick up a intertrochantronic hip fracture? Abnormal hardening of the bone. If the fracture is already healing

Can a c arm detect the same things above in a five week old fracture?

Can either of them detect the type of fracture its location type of break it is if it is non displaced show edema boney fragments in other parts of the fracture site? Can they detect the fracture pattern if it is stable in good position and alignment?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Answers to your Queries

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the queries.

Here are the Answers to your queries -

1. Abnormal hardening around a fracture can be due to causes like increased bone deposition as seen in Paget's disease, Osteosclerosis, Myositis ossificans etc.

2. Yes, MRI and CT scan can show the extent of comminution of the fracture and the relative position of each fracture fragment.

3. MRI can detect callus formation which is usually seen on X-ray by 15th day but can be seen earlier on MRI. Callus is the sign of healing of fracture seen on X-ray.

4. MRI can definitely detect exact location of fracture pattern but stability can be assessed in combination with X-ray, CT scan and clinical correlation. Very small fracture can also be seen.

5. Most bone abnormalities can be detected on MRI but CT scan is more specific for bone abnormalities than MRI. Osteoporosis better detected by DEXA scan which is an X-ray based modality. Arthritis can be detected on MRI.

6. Standard X-ray can pick up most inter-trochanteric fractures even if they are healing but sometimes CT scan is better if the fracture is minimally displaced or incomplete fracture which may not be visible on X-ray.

C-arm is X-ray investigation and can usually detect fractures of all kinds. But 5 weeks old fracture usually shows signs of healing in optimum conditions with callus formation which can be seen on C-arm as well.

Oedema in bone is best seen in MRI and not seen on X-ray. Stability of fracture can be seen on X-ray or C-arm based on the postero-medial communition and break in calcar.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Can An MRI Scan Or X-ray Detect Any Bone Abnormalities?

Brief Answer: Answers to your Queries Detailed Answer: Hi there. Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for the queries. Here are the Answers to your queries - 1. Abnormal hardening around a fracture can be due to causes like increased bone deposition as seen in Paget's disease, Osteosclerosis, Myositis ossificans etc. 2. Yes, MRI and CT scan can show the extent of comminution of the fracture and the relative position of each fracture fragment. 3. MRI can detect callus formation which is usually seen on X-ray by 15th day but can be seen earlier on MRI. Callus is the sign of healing of fracture seen on X-ray. 4. MRI can definitely detect exact location of fracture pattern but stability can be assessed in combination with X-ray, CT scan and clinical correlation. Very small fracture can also be seen. 5. Most bone abnormalities can be detected on MRI but CT scan is more specific for bone abnormalities than MRI. Osteoporosis better detected by DEXA scan which is an X-ray based modality. Arthritis can be detected on MRI. 6. Standard X-ray can pick up most inter-trochanteric fractures even if they are healing but sometimes CT scan is better if the fracture is minimally displaced or incomplete fracture which may not be visible on X-ray. C-arm is X-ray investigation and can usually detect fractures of all kinds. But 5 weeks old fracture usually shows signs of healing in optimum conditions with callus formation which can be seen on C-arm as well. Oedema in bone is best seen in MRI and not seen on X-ray. Stability of fracture can be seen on X-ray or C-arm based on the postero-medial communition and break in calcar. I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu