Chandler, AZ
A 29-year-old female asked:
Fractured the 3rd metatarsal bone in my foot, i have a boot on and x-rays showed no other damage. doc said i should get an mri is it worth the cost?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Harry Zegelanswered
Radiology 52 years experience
See long answer: Your dr. Needs to exam you, and place the need for imaging, in the appropriate clinical context. The plain x-ray exam will show the bony fracture and its alignment but not any possible ligament nor tendon damage. If this is what is clinically of concern then an MRI is the imaging modality that would depict this. For straightforward fractures that are aligned, MRI is generally not necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Marc Dehart commented
Orthopedic Surgery 35 years experience
The only case an MRI would be a consideration that I can come up with, would be a proximal metatarsal fracture associated with a lis franc's injury. A shaft fracture would never warrant an MRI unless you think you have some goofy cancer.
Feb 28, 2013
Dr. Marshall Solomonanswered
Podiatry 50 years experience
No if: If the fracture was diagnosed by x/ray and you are not having any other problems or the fracture is abnormal in presentation than i would ask why you need a mri.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 4, 2016
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