Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Recreate23]

Pains started in my right groin 6 months ago and I believe my femoral nerve was damaged while having a mirena coil inserted under anaesthetic 18 months ago.  The orthopaedic doctor insists that this pain is due to my right hip’s cartilage degeneration and has booked me in for a steroid injection in the hip.  I have decided to book an MRI scan privately but am feeling anxious about being in a tube for 20 minutes on my own as I’m somewhat claustrophobic.  Has anyone else had an MRI scan and how was it? Thanks

[CLKD]

Groin pain originates from the hips/pelvis
Back pain is in what most of us consider hips.

A steroid injection into the 'hip' should be done under a general anaesthetic with guided X-ray.  Depomedrone/steroid acts like WD40 in the joints to ease any grating between the bone surfaces due to cartilage wear and tear. 

How have U accessed a private MRI?  What do U want it to show exactly and will it with regards the femoral nerve ? 

[Joaniepat]

If you are only having your hip scanned you don't go all the way inside the tube, so  it shouldn't be a problem for your claustrophobia. I had my lumbar spine and sacroiliac area scanned a couple of weeks ago. The machine is a bit noisy so I was given earplugs and headphones. It was fine and soon over.
J x

[Recreate23]

Thank you everyone. I was pleased to hear that the hip/groin MRI scan means you don’t go right inside the tube.  The gp will advise whether I need a hip or groin scan. 

Was there a nurse in the room with you and did you find the scan result helpful?

[CLKD]

If the Orthopaedic Consultant who suggested an injection thinks that in future U require an MRI he should refer you so that the exact area is scanned correctly.  That way U won't have to pay privately for an examiantion/X-ray of something that you may not need.

What do U want it to show exactly and will it with regards the femoral nerve ?


I was an orthopaedic secretary for many years ;-)


Have U self diagnosed the femoral nerve problem or is your GP in agreement?

[Joaniepat]

There wasn't a nurse in the actual scanning room as it wasn't necessary, just me and the radiographer. The scan results were helpful to my physiotherapist who had suggested it. It showed the exact areas of arthritis and disc degeneration in the lumbar spine, but no real problems with the sacroiliac area, so this will help dictate ongoing treatment. All of this was self-funded, as the waiting list for NHS physiotherapy is quite long here. I did, however, get an x-ray of the hip joint on the NHS which showed no arthritis in the joint. The hip joint is where it tends to hurt for me, but that is not where the actual problem originates.
Hope this helps.
J x

[Recreate23]

I just want to know whether there’s any damage to my vein/soft tissue.  I experienced severe pain in the pelvic area after the coil was inserted.  One menopause specialist said there shouldn’t have been any pain. This was why I made the decision to get it removed.  The pain in my groin appeared  a few months after coming off HRT so I think it was masking the damage caused by the coil to this area.  An acupuncturist suggested that my femoral nerve may be trapped so I think it’s something that needs to be checked.  I had no problems at all with palpitations or pain in the pelvis before the coil was inserted. 

[Summer-sky]

Hi Recreate,

Quite a few of the MRI scanners are now wider than the older machines so this helps it feels less claustrophobic  and a hip scan is pretty quick.  If you tend to run cold as in body temp, ask them for a blanket and you'll be given earplugs and headphones.  My tip is shut your eyes as you go into the machine to distract from being in the scanner - I've had a lot of MRI's and this always works for me.  It will be over before you know it!

[CLKD]

Do tell them how nervous U R - the Staff will B aware of many patients with anxiety as it's new to most of us. Let us know how U get on.

[Recreate23]

Thank you everyone for your support 🙂 I feel less nervous now 🙂

[Clovie]

Hi there

In 2002 I was scanned inside the tube for hip/lower back pain . BUT -  Things may well have changed since then though! 

All I was going to say is, IF you did need to 'go inside' the tube so to speak, it really was not that bad,  and I'm a complete health anxiety freak!!
I had on headphones and the people doing the scan were lovely asking which music I wanted to have on, and how loud!  .  Just tell them how nervous you are and they will help you.
I just closed my eyes. It was just a bit loud inside, like some crazy plumber going at it banging pipes!  They can talk to you too through the process, telling you how long each bit was going to be.
They did give me a buzzer to press if I absolutely needed to get out. I didn't. It was fine, I just concentrated on the music. I even think there was fresh air being pumped through

No, I would not have another for leisure purposes  but really, it was not That bad. I just wanted to reassure you x

Here's hoping you don't even have to go inside now, sounds like these days you don't have to - and that's great news for everyone!

Good luck! 

[CLKD]

I had a bone scan in 1995 which was an X-ray machine which travelled slowly over my body in both directions.  Had they told me that  I would have been less anxious 

[bluebird68]

Any unexplained pain should be investigated. Also I'm claustrophobic and I took in a bed eye mask. No metal allowed and this got me through. I use one every time. Also on scans they always note changes to bone etc. Apparently changes start from the age of 14 so usually you will hear some noted things like disc degeneration, compressions etc. we didn't need to know the obvious just ruling out serious issues. Good luck

[Recreate23]

I had a consultation with a GP at Vista Health on Thursday and she said the MRI scan will not show any nerve compression 🤨 I have asked for further information from Vista as my research shows that any nerve damage is revealed on the scan.  They said that all it shows is the causes of nerve compression which sounds very vague.  I’m really not sure about whether to have it done now.