...to think MRI scans AREN'T just for "people who can't walk?"

[OneHandFlapping]

DS has a knee injury from playing football. It first occurred 6 weeks ago, and he was referred for physio. They could find nothing major wrong and discharged him.

Now something has snapped with an audible sound. He can hardly walk. His GP refused to refer him for an MRI scan, saying he would just have to give up football, and that MRIs are for people who can't walk. He has referred him for more physio.

Is this what the NHS has come to? That a sporty 19 year old boy is consigned to the sporting scrap heap - no football, no skiing, no squash? Ever?

Because the GP can't be arsed to diagnose the problem?

I'm not being unreasonable to expect more am I?

My surgeon actually told me sometimes they just leave it, when I was diagnosed with my cruciate ligament rupture. If you're over forty and not sporty seems to be the time they'll not do anything!? Because my knee was unstable, if I twisted sideways or stepped on something my knee would "go" resulting in spectacular pain, and nearly passing out.

If it is an ACL rupture your surgeon will be able to tell on first visit I reckon, without a scan.

I was refused a MRI scan by first gp for my back, was told it was muscular pain. Have world as a nurse for 32 years (loads of time working on an orthopaedic ward). Knew it was not just muscular pain.

So I saw another gp (same practice), and pushed for a MRI scan. Had one within a week, 3 slipped discs, given the right treatment, and touchwood I have been mainly pain free since then.

Gp' scan order MRI's, but it costs the practice money so they are loath to do so. Your son deserves better treatment.

A physio appointment is cheaper and could diagnose the problem all the same. There is no reason why an MRI should be first option at this time before exhausting other options due to cost and availability.

Aged knees what treatment did you get if you don't mind me asking? I was given physio for a disc prolapse, and eventually went private for an MRI scan that showed the disc was causing the sciatic nerve to be squashed, they operated on my but I've been left with leg pain.

Aged knees MRI scans have nothing to do with the gp practice budget

GPs can and do refer for MRI - they are reluctant because of the cost (not just for the scan but the radiologist report too). They can also refer to orthopaedics if necessary.

Given his age and the impact this injury is having on quality of life he should certainly be investigated thoroughly (has he even had an X-ray?) you can also ask for the MRI to be done at whatever local hospital has the shorter waiting list - I have.

My GP had no trouble referring me straight to an orthopaedic surgeon, and worded the referral so as to suggest that triage by a physio was probably a waste of time. This is for an old injury that is playing up more as I get older, and which is in my shoulder. No effect on day to day life, but every few years I end up in casualty.

My GP can't refer directly for MRIs but can refer you to MSU, here you can be seen in an urgent clinic and they can refer to a specific consultant and before that appointment you can have a scan.

I've had 3 MRIs - one for my knee after a fall and others for my hip which snapped following a twisting injury leaving me with acute pain and on on crutches (I have RA which made it easier to damage)

My labral tear in my hip was treated with physio and anti inflammitories as surgery couldn't guarantee a positive outcome, could have made it worse and I would have been immobilised for a very long time.

With my knee, it took physio and a year for the bruised bone to heal but there was no other treatment.

I would say GP hasn't explained very well and I would be seeking a second opinion under the NHS before jumping for Private.

The problem is that the referral process can take some time as there are only limited resources and MRIs are very useful for diagnosing many things but take a long time.

Private physio however was worth every penny and was relatively affordable. A sports physio will be very good at seeking to getting your son back on to the path of playing football again. Something that a NHS physio won't have time for.

I've had an MRI on my knee. I did marathon and it was very painful so went to GP who had suspicion of what it was and sent me for scan to confirm. I was seen 3wks later. NHS.

The GP is foisting her view on your son. You go back and request second opinion. You can get them quite easily and with minimum fuss. Complain to surgery manager too.

Good luck.

I was 34 btw.

My 17 year old has an undiagnosed problem with the leg, shows up on MRI and xray that there is an "anomaly". They were told no sport (inc walking to school) (bar swimming) forever.

I said to the consultant you really mean forever? or for a long time? He said forever, if no more exercise for the rest of their life then it shouldn't get any worse.

A 17 year old being told that no sport/walking medium distance (walking around supermarket is ok) for the rest of their life is devestating.

I have fought and a year on still fighting for something to be done - no treatment (not even physio) has been given.

Different areas vary - our GPs follow a set pathway and it works well for patients. With any sports injury the first referral would be to physio, then MRI scan if no improvement (our GPs can refer directly for knee and lumbar spine MRI) and then to the Orthopaedic team based on the findings of the MRI. In our area the waiting time is around six weeks. Cartilage tears and cruciate ligament problems are seen in the arthroscopy/soft tissue knee clinic which specifically mention also treating sports injuries as these tend to be the most common. Private MRI scans are available via a mobile unit at our local private hospital and cost around £350 and cartilage ops are in the region of £2000. However it really shouldn't get to the point of private care - ask your son to arrange an early appt with another GP in the Practice and ensure this GP has all the details. It might also be worth contacting the physiotherapist he attended to ask how the system works there.

I recently (earlier this year) had to have 3 MRI's 1 was on the NHS and 2 Private. All on my knees/legs. For info the private ones cost just under £500 each.

As a first point has he had an XRay? They can spot more than just bone issues with one

Also I paid privately for a scan to check cancer hadn't spread- I told them I was paying for it and the cost went down from £500-£400 which is something.

It might be worth checking if his football club membership insurance doesn't cover this,

Two of the sports that my children take part in, the membership includes medical insurance.