Can I still have an MRI? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

MarthaJane · 05-12-2008, 12:42 PM

This may be a crazy question, but I had cervical fusion with titanium plate and screws and artificial disc in 2004 at C4-C6. All of my old symptoms have recurred -- incredible arm pain, numbness in hands, and burning pain between shoulder blades. I tried to get in with my NS but was told to see my primary care doc first for films. Went to the primary care doc who ordered xrays and EMG. Both show problems below the fusion. Is an MRI still doable at this point? I didn't know if the titanium hardware would prevent another MRI?

Thanks for your input.

Wymom94 · 05-12-2008, 05:16 PM

Hi MarthaJane, I was told (by my neurosurgeon) that I was given my titanium plate and screws b/c they were fine to have an MRI w/. My understanding is that there isn't a worry w/ titanium. To be certain, you could call the facility that offers the MRI and ask their MRI technician.
I hope you find out what's causing the recurrence of your symptoms -soon.
Take care.

PNo · 05-12-2008, 05:47 PM

I don't know about artifical disc, but I have a very large titanium plate and 8 screws and have MRIs all the time. Good luck!

sunshine221 · 05-12-2008, 08:33 PM

Ok - I'll put on my metallurgical hat today - titanium is a non-magnetic metal - sometimes it is an alloy (mixture) with other metals but in this case I do think its in a non-magnetic form and MRI is ok

Airport detectors are set differently and these plates may trigger those even if they aren't magnetic (I don't have plates so I don't know this for sure)

-Sunshine

PNo · 05-12-2008, 10:09 PM

I once set off detectors and then the hand wand. Then I showed them the card my dr. had made with my xray on it. I can't remember which terminal this happened at, it might have been Dallas.