Interpreting scans

by Daniel Heazlewood-Ross

​So you’ve been sent to have some type of scan (MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Xray) and its comeback with a couple of paragraphs about what’s happening inside. Medical language is complex and often sounds scary. I can’t stress how important it is to find someone to take the time and explain to you what the scan found and what it means for you.

Ideally this will be the person that sent you for the scan but that’s not always possible. What we need to remember is that scans are often quite limiting. For instance a scan can’t tell you the following:

• Whether you’re in pain or not - Believe it or not the amount or presence of pain can not at all be seen on a scan. Every health provider will tell you a story of someone who has had a scan with multiple things apparently “wrong” on it but the person was completely pain free.
• Whether you’ll be able to work or not - This is especially true for things that have been developing over a period of time.
• How long it will take to get better - In some instances, it can give a guideline – i.e. differentiating between different grades of muscle tears. Other times it can’t tell you much else

 
As many of my clients will know I love a corny saying. One of my favourites is that “we treat a person not a scan”. People are often quite fearful after having a scan and reading a report with medical jargon. Part of treating a person is listening to their fears and often educating them on what a scan actually means. What they don’t say in a report with “abnormal” findings is that the may be completely normal depending on a persons stage of life.
 
For instance – degeneration sounds relatively frightening. However “degeneration” is a normal age related finding. I liken it to wrinkles on your face. When you are a teenager we don’t have wrinkles but as we age it is entirely normal to develop wrinkles. So degeneration in a joint or spine can be likened to wrinkles on your face – normal with age.
 
Secondly degeneration doesn’t necessarily mean painful. People can have degeneration in any part of the body and not know anything about it and live a full pain free life. 
 
Now I’m not saying scans aren’t helpful. In certain situations, they can give important clinical information that assists in guiding treatment. However, they do not tell the whole story and won’t necessarily change the treatment you will receive. If you have had a scan make sure you speak with a health professional that can appropriately interpret the scan and report and then take the time to work with you to explain what is happening.

​Not sure if you need a scan or not? Our Tarragindi physiotherapists can help you make that decision! Jump over to our Bookings Page, call us on 07 3706 3407 or email [email protected] to make a booking to suit you