Q1: I have elbow pain that won’t go away despite physiotherapy and rest. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Persistent lateral (tennis elbow) or medial (golfer’s elbow) pain may indicate tendon tears, ligament strain, or early joint degeneration. X-rays cannot detect tendon or ligament injuries, and ultrasound may miss deep or subtle tears. MRI provides detailed, radiation-free images of all structures around the elbow, allowing accurate diagnosis.

Q2: Can physiotherapy, bracing, or anti-inflammatories fix this pain without MRI?
These treatments may relieve symptoms temporarily but cannot confirm or exclude structural injury. Without MRI, serious tendon tears or ligament injuries may remain undetected, prolonging recovery and risking chronic damage.

Q3: What risks exist if I delay MRI for chronic elbow pain?
Delaying MRI may allow tendon or ligament injuries to worsen, possibly leading to chronic pain, reduced strength, limited range of motion, or need for surgery. Early MRI ensures timely, targeted non-surgical management.

Q4: Why is MRI superior to X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for elbow pain?
X-rays detect only bones; CT is less sensitive for soft tissues; ultrasound may miss deep tendon tears or ligament injuries. MRI provides clear, high-resolution images of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and joint spaces without radiation.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable elbow MRI?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely and regain full arm function.

Q1: I injured my ankle months ago, and it still hurts. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Persistent ankle pain after an old injury may indicate incomplete healing of ligaments, cartilage injury, bone bruises, or early post-traumatic arthritis. X-rays often miss these subtle injuries, and physical exams alone cannot confirm the cause. MRI provides detailed, radiation-free imaging of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and surrounding soft tissue.

Q2: Can physiotherapy, bracing, or massage solve this problem without MRI?
While these may provide temporary symptom relief, they cannot confirm the underlying injury. Continuing therapy without MRI may delay correct diagnosis and prolong pain or instability. MRI ensures precise identification of the structural issue, allowing targeted treatment.

Q3: What are the risks if I delay MRI for lingering ankle pain?
Delaying MRI may allow untreated ligament or cartilage damage to worsen, increasing the risk of chronic instability, arthritis, and long-term functional limitations. Early MRI prevents misdiagnosis and ensures timely intervention.

Q4: Why is MRI superior to X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for ankle injuries?
X-rays detect only bones, CT scans provide limited soft tissue detail, and ultrasound may miss deep ligament, tendon, or cartilage injuries. MRI offers clear, comprehensive images of all structures without radiation, allowing accurate diagnosis.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable MRI for lingering ankle pain?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, along with non-surgical treatments to help you recover safely and restore ankle function.

Q1: I feel foot pain every time I walk or run, but X-rays show nothing. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Pain triggered by weight-bearing can indicate stress fractures, tendon injuries (tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis), cartilage damage, or nerve entrapment. X-rays often miss early fractures and soft tissue injuries, while ultrasound is limited to superficial structures. MRI provides detailed, radiation-free imaging of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves.

Q2: Can stretching, massage, or orthotics fix this pain without MRI?
These methods may relieve temporary discomfort but cannot detect underlying structural injuries. Without MRI, serious causes like stress fractures or tendon tears may remain undiagnosed, prolonging pain and risking worsening damage.

Q3: What are the risks of delaying MRI for walking or running foot pain?
Delaying MRI may allow stress fractures or tendon injuries to worsen, potentially leading to chronic pain, permanent tendon damage, or mobility limitations. Early MRI ensures timely, targeted intervention.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for foot pain?
X-rays only show bones, CT scans have limited soft tissue resolution, and ultrasound may miss deep tendon or ligament injuries. MRI clearly visualizes all relevant structures, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment planning without radiation.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable MRI for foot pain in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day, along with non-surgical treatments to restore pain-free walking and running.

Q1: My foot or ankle has been swollen for months even though X-rays are normal. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Persistent swelling may be caused by tendon tears (Achilles, peroneal), ligament injuries, bone stress fractures, joint inflammation, or early arthritis. X-rays cannot detect these soft tissue issues, and ultrasound may miss deep or complex injuries. MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free images of bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and surrounding soft tissue, helping pinpoint the exact cause.

Q2: Can physiotherapy, massage, or rest solve chronic swelling without MRI?
They may provide temporary relief, but they cannot identify the underlying structural problem. If swelling persists despite therapy, MRI is essential to avoid wasting time on ineffective treatments and to detect potentially serious injuries early.

Q3: What risks exist if I delay MRI for chronic swelling?
Untreated injuries can worsen, leading to tendon rupture, ligament instability, nerve compression, or early osteoarthritis. MRI ensures early detection of urgent or progressive conditions, reducing the risk of long-term disability.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for swelling?
X-rays only show bone alignment, CT is limited for soft tissue, and ultrasound may miss deep tendon or ligament injuries. MRI clearly visualizes all relevant structures without radiation, making it the gold standard for chronic swelling assessment.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable MRI for foot or ankle swelling?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely and regain full mobility.

Q1: I keep spraining my ankle even after physiotherapy. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Recurrent ankle sprains may be caused by partial or complete ligament tears, cartilage injury, or osteochondral lesions that X-rays often miss. MRI provides clear, radiation-free images of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones, allowing precise diagnosis. Continuing therapy without MRI may allow injuries to worsen, increasing chronic pain risk and joint instability.

Q2: Can taping, bracing, or physiotherapy replace MRI?
No. While these interventions can help temporarily, they do not confirm the underlying structural damage. MRI is the only way to identify torn ligaments, cartilage defects, or hidden fractures, which ensures that your treatment plan is targeted and effective.

Q3: What could happen if I delay getting an ankle MRI?
Delaying MRI may worsen instability, increase the risk of re-injury, and potentially cause early arthritis or chronic pain. Early diagnosis prevents long-term complications and allows timely, non-surgical management when possible.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for ankle injuries?
X-rays only show bones, CT scans are less sensitive for soft tissue, and ultrasound may not detect deep ligament or cartilage injuries. MRI visualizes ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones clearly and without radiation, providing the most comprehensive assessment.

Q5: Where can I get a fast and affordable ankle MRI?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely and regain ankle stability.