MRI Over-Utilzation in Athletes … and *Us* Too! At what Cost?

Over-Testing and Over-Utilization of Healthcare Technology

I have utilized this blog on multiple occasions to discuss  the issue of overuse and over-utilization of technology in healthcare. In a very broad sense this has tremendous implications not only with regards to the obvious cost involved— but over-utilization and overuse will foster further overuse and over-utilization because an *abnormal* finding will frequently lead to further testing and perhaps even unnecessary surgical intervention or invasive testing. I have discussed these issues, both here,  here and here.

This very important article which came out of the New York Times yesterday, and was pointed out to me by my friend Wendy Swanson discusses the overutilization and overuse of MRI scans in the athletic  population.  This also clearly applies to each and every one of us. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, our tissues change with age. There are many of you walking around out there with meniscus or cartilage tears in your knee— and simply don’t know it. There are many of you will walking around with tears in your rotator cuff, and simply don’t know it. Some of you may have herniated discs, evidence of osteoarthritis or other changes that clearly occur with age and activity – – – yet none of them are bothering you.

What Dr. Andrews found, was that when he obtained MRI scans on athletes with absolutely no discomfort or disability, the MRI found abnormalities in vital structures of the shoulder or knee in the vast majority of cases. Now, imagine that that athlete had shoulder pain after pitching one evening. Because they are a high-level athlete the typical process is that the athlete is placed into an MRI machine the very next morning and actions are undertaken based on the findings of that MRI.  Now imagine the implications – – – Dr. Andrew’s study clearly shows that that athlete had close to a 90% chance of there being an abnormality before they even noted the onset of pain. Therefore, can we even be sure that the findings on the MRI are in fact meaningful, or more importantly, the source of discomfort. In many situations that athlete will be indicated for surgery because of the abnormal findings and find themselves on the sidelines and in the recovery process after having undergone a surgical procedure — which put them at significant risk — because of the risks and potential complications associated with surgery. In addition, especially in the high level athlete, very few high-level athletes  return to their prior level of activity following certain procedures. Therefore, an over utilized or unnecessary at MRI could’ve potentially led to an unnecessary procedure which has now ended the career of the promising young young athlete.

Now is not a far reach to see how this affects you and the general population at large. You may have spent a long weekend outside cleaning the yard, playing soccer with the kids, or taking in a nice hike with your family.  Or perhaps you simply twisted your knee and you have a little discomfort and difficulty walking the next day. For many of you. That will mean a visit to your physician’s office. For many of you. You may not be evaluated or examined and instead, to speed along the office-based visit. You’ll be given a prescription for an MRI. Now, in all likelihood, you also have or possess the same risk of having an abnormality on your MRI that would likely have been present prior to the onset of your discomfort. Please read that again! Now, you receive a telephone call from your primary care doctor that an abnormality was found on your MRI. You have a visit with an orthopedic specialist, hopefully that orthopedic specialists actually examines you, obtains your story, listens to your story, and determines whether or not the abnormalities identified could in fact be a competent producing cause of your symptoms. This does not always happen in the world of orthopedics today. Many practices  focus on a high-volume, low touch – high-technology model where you will see a physician extender — the MRI abnormality will be identified, and quite possibly you will be indicated for surgery because of the finding. This nails home another concept I have discussed on here on many occasions. We treat patients, we do not treat MRI findings. We need to understand the personality of an injury and how that injury is presenting itself in you, how your lifestyle or quality of life is affected, and whether or not the findings that we have identified on the MRI are in fact the competent producing cause of your discomfort — and then come up with an appropriate treatment plan that will likely involve a period of nonsurgical management— which, if unsuccessful perhaps might lead to an indicated surgical procedure, if your lifestyle changes and quality-of-life dictates that this is in fact an option.   

Please do not approach your physician with the thought that an MRI is necessary in all situations where your knee, your elbow, or your shoulder bother you. Not all recent injuries require an MRI evaluation (some do). Please read this article carefully, the implications are significant—and we are talking about your body, your health, your pocketbook, preserving your quality-of-life, and protecting you from potentially harmful further testing and unnecessary surgery. And by all means…. use second opinions!   That’s their primary purpose!