Muscle Strains - William R. Hobbs, MD

[TrinityMotherFrances]

Muscle strains usually do not show up on MRI. They are better at detecting disc problems and arthritic changes. Muscle problems will show up when there is swelling associated with them, but most chronic problems do not have a lot of edema to see on MRI. Exercises usually will help muscle strains. If it has not improved over 5 years, may need to try local steroid injections or TENS unit.

[gnortonshores]

Hello I was diagnosed with a thoracic strain in the mid-back. After dealing with it for awhile, I had an MRI which showed nothing bad. Do muscle strains and tears show up on MRIs? I am doing exercises that I learned in physical therapy and have gotten stronger but still dealing with back ache. Thanks!