What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 28 Nov 2017

Question: Hello Dr. Mahaveer, i have been having pain in both my legs after playing football for sometime. Whenever i rest from playing is the only time pain is going away slowly. After seeing a doctor i did an MRI and the report findings indicated "Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome". But when the doctor saw the images he told it is actually a "Stress Fracture of the Tibia". Can you please assist me on what you can see from the attached images? Also am i supposed to stop football and for how long? thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Adequate rest

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history and the attached reports in detail.

You do have multiple trabecular tiny fractures over the medial aspect of the tibial bone,suggestive of a stress fracture.

Stress fractures usually indicate weak bones (low calcium content).Playing football involves lots of vertical and twisting stress forces which act directly on your weight bearing bone (tibia).

I would suggest you to get your bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D levels checked to measure the calcium content in your bones.

As far as treatment of this stress fracture is concerned,taking adequate rest with calcium and vitamin D tablets daily is needed.

Applying compression bandage around the affected part with analgesic tablets for pain will help.

Personally,i feel you should quit playing football atleast for the next 6 months.
Once your bones become strong enough by taking the above medicines,you can think of playing football again.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Thank you doctor for the reply.
Actually i already did my BMD and have attached the results on my profile now.
It mentions Osteopenia, it this serious? and what can i do to reverse it?
thanks.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Calcium and Vitamin D3 can help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The BMD results indicate osteopenia...which means onset of osteoporosis.

It is not serious and definitely reversible.

Take calcium and Vitamin D supplements regularly.

High calcium diet (milk,ragi,bananas,early morning sunlight) will be helpful.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar