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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Mri Determine How Long Aga An Injury Occurred?

I have a 20 year old lower back injury that I sustained in the military. I ruptured the L5 disc and now it is arthritic. I am in the process of getting a disability from the VA so that I can be treated for my injury. I had a MRI, and they would like me to get an opinion from a doctor regarding my MRI that will say that the injury is from the 20 year old time frame and not something like a car accident that happened ten years ago. The problem that I am having is that it appears that doctors cannot tell from a soft tissue injury approximately how long ago the injury took place. Is there any way to tell based on a MRI how long ago an injury may have occurred? Wouldn’t the fact that I now have arthritis indicate that the trauma happened a long time ago?
Tue, 19 Aug 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
hello,
It is possible to tell with the help of MRI that a injury is old or recent, but it is difficult to tell that if it is 10 years or 20 years old because both are chronic changes. But right now MRI is the choice of imaging study which may help for the claim.
Arthritis do suggest that the pathology has started years back and it will definitely add to your claim.
Any documentation of injury or imaging films at the time of injury will get you through the claim.
All the best..!!
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Can Mri Determine How Long Aga An Injury Occurred?

hello, It is possible to tell with the help of MRI that a injury is old or recent, but it is difficult to tell that if it is 10 years or 20 years old because both are chronic changes. But right now MRI is the choice of imaging study which may help for the claim. Arthritis do suggest that the pathology has started years back and it will definitely add to your claim. Any documentation of injury or imaging films at the time of injury will get you through the claim. All the best..!!