Imaging Services
MRI of the Lumbar Spine Axial Loading
Basics: What is an MRI of the Lumbar Spine Axial Loading?
To come.
Discussion of images above:
The images are from a particular type of MRI exam, called Axial Loading in which weight bearing is mimicked via the use of a special coil (device placed over the part of the body to be imaged that helps direct the magnetic frequencies). Using this technique allows us to see what happens to the spinal cord when someone is standing. In the following images, you will see how the spinal cord is compressed when bearing weight, thus explaining the patient’s pain that was previously was undiagnosed.