Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis, which destroys the patient’s joints over the course of the disease. RA is especially aggressive in the hands leading to significant deformities and disabilities in a very short time. Therefore, it is important that the disease is identified early and treated aggressively saving the patient from future disability.

Rheumatologists are now utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to help identify patients with RA early and in patients who continue to have disease progression despite being on standard therapy. Studied have shown that MRI is able to identify erosive changes due to arthritis on average two years earlier than conventional radiographs (X-rays). Therefore with use of MRI, we are able to observe progression of disease at a much faster rate and place patients on appropriate therapy quickly.

With the advancement of technology a portable office based MRI has become a reality. We are able to offer our patients MRI evaluation located conveniently in our office. Typically a full view of each evaluable site takes half an hour. Armed with the knowledge from this technology, we are able to make the appropriate therapeutic decision quickly and efficiently.