Patient Guide

When do I need an MRI?

Find a comprehensive, clinician-informed list of conditions and clinical questions our MRI can investigate across specialties — from sports injuries and spinal alignment to pediatric and neurological evaluations.

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MRI Indications

A comprehensive guide

Explore what our open, weight-bearing, and dynamic MRI can evaluate across specialties — designed for comfort, precision, and coordinated care.

Cayman Medical provides advanced open, weight-bearing, and dynamic (in-motion) MRI designed for clear diagnostics and a calm, comfortable experience.

Below you'll find a comprehensive, clinician-informed list of conditions and clinical questions our MRI can investigate across specialties — from sports injuries and spinal alignment to pediatric and neurological evaluations.

Why choose us: patient-friendly open design, upright/positional options for real-life load assessment, motion studies for joints, rapid scheduling, and integrated care with our in-house specialists.

Learn more about Open MRI, Specialty MRI, Kinetic / Dynamic MRI, and Pediatric MRI.

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Musculoskeletal
Neurological
Spine
Pelvis
Regenerative & Functional
Pediatric
Head, Neck & ENT
Sports & Performance
Pain & Functional
Weight-Bearing & Positional

Musculoskeletal (Joints, Bones & Soft Tissues)

Ideal for athletes and active individuals, with options for weight-bearing and dynamic motion assessment.

Knee pain and instability (meniscal tears, ACL/PCL/MCL/LCL injuries)
Shoulder pain (rotator cuff and labral tears, impingement, instability)
Hip pain (FAI, labral tears, snapping hip, bursitis)
Ankle sprains, ligament injuries, Achilles tendinopathy or tears
Wrist/hand (TFCC tears, tendinitis, carpal tunnel, ganglion cysts)
Elbow (UCL/RCL injuries, tendinopathy, "tennis/golfer's elbow")
Muscle strains/contusions, myotendinous injuries, hematomas
Bone bruises, occult fractures, stress reactions
Joint effusions, synovitis, cysts (e.g., Baker's cyst)
Post-operative evaluation of repairs or prostheses
Dynamic studies: patellar tracking, shoulder impingement with abduction, functional joint instability

Neurological (Brain & Cranial Nerves)

Headache, dizziness, migraine work-up
Seizures/epilepsy evaluation
Brain tumors, metastasis, treatment response
Stroke/TIA follow-up and small vessel disease
Demyelinating disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Cognitive decline and memory disorders
Pituitary/hypothalamic evaluation
Optic nerve/visual pathway assessment
Inner ear/vestibular disorders (hearing loss, vertigo)
Traumatic brain injury (concussion/TBI)
Pediatric congenital brain malformations

Spine (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar & Sacral)

Upright and positional imaging can reveal findings that are load-dependent.

Neck or back pain (acute/chronic)
Disc herniation, bulge, degeneration
Sciatica and foraminal stenosis/nerve root compression
Central canal stenosis
Scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, alignment changes
Postural abnormalities under load (upright studies)
Post-operative/fusion assessment
Infections, fractures, tumors
Whiplash or trauma evaluation
Weight-bearing: assessment of stenosis/instability when standing

Pelvis

Pelvic pain, endometriosis
Ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, congenital anomalies
Hernias (inguinal/femoral) and abdominal wall
Dynamic pelvic imaging: pelvic floor dysfunction/prolapse

Regenerative Medicine & Functional Assessment

Pre-/post-therapy baselines (PRP, cell-based, orthobiologics)
Cartilage degeneration monitoring (where applicable)
Tendon/ligament healing and remodeling
Muscle recovery, fibrosis/scar assessment
Physiotherapy progress and outcome measures

Pediatric MRI

Developmental brain anomalies and seizures
Headaches, trauma, and concussion
Spine curvature/congenital anomalies
Pediatric bone/joint disorders and sports injuries
Tumors, cysts, and infections
Growth plate and alignment evaluation

Head, Neck & ENT

Chronic sinusitis and sinonasal masses
Head & neck tumors and post-treatment follow-up
TMJ dysfunction and internal derangement

Sports & Performance Medicine (Dynamic)

Functional instability and alignment under motion
Load-bearing assessment (knees, hips, spine)
Repetitive strain and overuse injuries
Pre-season screening/performance baselines
Return-to-play readiness after injury

Pain & Functional Disorders

Chronic back/neck/joint pain with unclear etiology
Myofascial and soft-tissue pain syndromes
Nerve entrapment/inflammation
Post-traumatic pain syndromes
Tissue changes associated with chronic pain conditions

Weight-Bearing & Positional Studies

These studies leverage upright or positional imaging to reveal pathology that may only appear under load.

Spinal canal narrowing or nerve impingement when standing
Meniscal and ligament behavior under load
Patellar tracking and malalignment in motion
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Shoulder impingement with abduction/external rotation
Upright curvature change (lumbar/cervical) vs. supine

Referrals & Appointments

We accept physician and chiropractor referrals and also accommodate self-referrals where appropriate. Our radiologists tailor protocols to your clinical question and coordinate seamlessly with your care team.

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