So my daughter has a follow up with an orthopedist on Monday for lower back pain. When he saw her a month ago, he really didn't think it was a stress reaction/fracture but only did xrays. (She had an MRI about 9 mths ago which I think played into his hesitancy to do another one.) He said bring her back in a month if the pain hadn't resolved or got worse. I've actually since taken her to another pediatric orthopedist who specializes in the spine. While he originally suspected a stress fracture, he was very confident it wasn't after his exam. I pushed a lot since I was very worried. He really thinks it is muscular. He didn't even bring up an MRI or bone scan because he was so confident. Well, it's been another 8 days and she still has pretty localized lower left back pain. I am just not comfortable with not being able to definitely rule out anything in her spine. I hate that she could be doing further damage at practice. (She's totally been modifying- mostly avoiding back extension stuff, high impact, running/jumping) We've had her skip practice on some days where practice would be back to back and have shortened some of her practice days. She's also started a little p/t. At this point, I want to KNOW. Her pain is actually not bad and it rarely hurts while at practice but I just don't like how long it has been and the fact that it seems localized in an area where you would suspect a stress fracture.
Anyway all that to ask, is there any major advantage to an MRI vs. a bone scan for checking for a stress reaction/fracture? I am sure the orthopedists gets to make the call, but I have no problem advocating for one if it is better. Thanks!
Anyway all that to ask, is there any major advantage to an MRI vs. a bone scan for checking for a stress reaction/fracture? I am sure the orthopedists gets to make the call, but I have no problem advocating for one if it is better. Thanks!