The health expert reveals all about sports fitness assessment and periodic MRI | Hello

For the uninitiated, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular fitness, and musculoskeletal flexibility are measured in physical fitness assessments, where hydrostatic weighing, skinfold measurement, and anthropometric measurements are the three most widely used methods for determining body composition. A periodic health examination that focuses on the evaluation of the cardiovascular system gives non-professional athletes a chance to detect cardiac problems and risk factors, allowing them to reduce risks during sports activities.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Amin Rajani, an arthroscopic surgeon and sports injury specialist at Nexus Day Surgery Center, revealed, “Athlete screening allows assessment of musculoskeletal abnormalities, whether unreported or known, that may have an impact on the athlete’s ability to train and perform. By assessing previous injuries and ensuring compliance with all rehabilitation programs, the doctor will be able to arrange any interventions with the athlete that are deemed necessary.

Answering why magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice, he said: “The complexity of some athletes’ injuries, as well as the need for rapid diagnosis, has increased the demand for accuracy and speed in medical imaging methods. The specific method used is determined by the diseases and the damaged tissues. Choosing the most appropriate imaging test is critical to reducing patient risk, speeding up diagnosis and treatment, and reducing healthcare costs. Because soft tissue injuries are so common, many doctors use ultrasound to prevent exposure to potentially dangerous radiation. Nevertheless, MRI has a very high yield in soft tissue injuries, including the ability to document the extent of muscle damage and identify intra-articular lesions such as meniscal and articular cartilage injuries.”

He added: “The MRI test is also very useful in determining bone stress. Because of the modalities’ excellent soft-tissue contrast, multiplanar capabilities, and noninvasive process, the quality of the result obtained from MRI is generally considered the “gold standard.” While MRI is not necessary to identify an injury, it is a useful tool for confirming diagnosis or ruling out a competing one, especially when the history and physical examination are insufficient to establish a diagnosis.In addition, MRI is often used prior to orthopedic surgery because the information obtained from MRI can give the surgeon a “map” of the injury region, assisting the surgeon in guiding the operation and improving the outcome. Some of the most common sports injuries that may require an MRI scan include muscle, tendon and joint problems, as well as stress fractures.”

Speaking about the scans and what injuries they are useful for, Dr. Amin Rajani emphasized: “Scans can provide important information for both acute and chronic conditions. These include hamstring and calf muscle strains, sprains of knee and ankle ligaments such as the ACL/MCL, and acute fractures. The scan provides information about the extent of these injuries, which is important in determining how each injury should be addressed, such as whether rehabilitation time is acceptable or whether referral to a specialist or surgery is necessary. In professional sports, imaging is a regularly used technique for sports injuries. It is also open to the public for sports and musculoskeletal conditions. When your sports physical therapist or your doctor has completed an initial clinical examination, images are used to obtain additional information about an injury. X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and CT (computed tomography) are common imaging methods.

He stressed: “The most essential feature of this health check is the detection of undetected medical conditions that may jeopardize the athlete’s participation in sport. One obvious example is a hidden heart condition that can put a player at risk of sudden death during exertion. And yet there are other diseases that warrant routine screening.”