This is what came in the mail yesterday: 
**History**
Weakness with some atrophy after fall on outstretched hand in April 2008. Normal x-ray
**Technique**
T1 and T1 fat-sat axial, sagittal and coronal
**Findings**
Bone marrow signal shows signal changes and irregularity involving the capitellum and its articular surface. This could be posttraumatic. It is involving the midposterior aspect of the capitellum. It does not appear to be acute. The rest of the bone marrow signal is normal.
The signal for the biceps tendon, brachialis tendon, and the triceps tendon is normal. Signal for the surrounding musculature is normal.
I think the medial and lateral collateral complexes, as well as the conjoined flexor and extensor tendons are normal. I do not see any fluid collections, tears or tendinosis.
**Impression**
Signal changed and suggestion of mild fragmentation of the articular surface of the capitellum and flattening suggestive of ischemic necrosis. This could represent Tanner’s.
Huh? 
I spent an hour doing web research on all the terminology (my poor Spell Check was having a fit) & still don’t have a clear idea of what all that means. Chris read it, his eyes glazing over, & said:
“They lost me after ‘bone marrow’”;
Sam read it over, handed the page back to me, & summarized it in true Man-Fashion:
“You have a boo-boo.”
Gee, thanks guys.
The second page from my PCP was equally succinct:
“Abnormal MRI; Keep appointment with Orthopedic Dept.”
Duh! 
The apron is done, the hot pad is semi-felted & awaiting a bit of trim before completing, & the recipe is printed- I think I’m actually going to beat my deadline by a whole two days! I just need to take some photos tonight & pack it all off in the morning, then I’ll be free to finish up the quilt piecing.
One of my Quilting Circle partners has graciously offered to do all the finish work for me, since pushing & pulling all that weight through my sewing machine repeatedly is just a bit more than my elbow can stand at this time (besides, I think she’s getting worried that it won’t be done in time for the auction- Meg does tend to procrastinate 
)
Lastly, here are my completed Ravelympics projects, since I know you all have been dying of curiosity & waiting with bated breath to gaze on the product of my munificent talent:
Oh, yes~ and my medals, too!
9 comments:
Want my hubby to translate to English for you? I'll ask him. :o)
Love love love the projects! You ROCK!
Hi Meg,
I'm Dory's husband and a physical therapist. I'll try to interpret your MRI results for you but if it doesn't make sense then just ask me and I will explain it again, OK?
The capitellum is a bony part of your humerus (upper arm bone) that articulates with one of your forearm bones at the elbow. It is covered in a protective layer or coating of cartilage (like the white-greyish colored shiny surface at the end of a drumstick or chicken leg). When you fell on your arm, the forearm bone that articulates with the capitellum "banged" against the cartilage layer, compressing and flattening the cartilage which "squeezes out" the fluid that is in the cartilage. Cartilage will slowly become more brittle, die away and flake off at the site of the injury - "fragmentation of the articular surface of the capitellum and flattening suggestive of ischemic necrosis."
I hope this helps. Let me know if I need to explain it better.
Now, for my personal opinion this may mean that you could have some more elbow problems such as pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of motion and even episodes of the elbow locking or catching.
I would recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon if you are having some of these symptoms/signs, which it sounds like you are, thus the MRI.
The orthopedic surgeon may recommend conservative treatment of medicines and possibly physical therapy. If you continue to have problems and don't respond to conservative treatment, you may be looking at having elbow surgery to clean out the joint and the damaged areas.
Let me know if you have any further questions - I know you have Dory's email addy.
What beautiful things you have created! You've sure been busy & I LOVE THAT HAT!! Can't wait to see the apron too!
Oh my, the MRI results look like a foreign language for sure, but I'm glad that Dory's husband was able to translate it for you. I sincerely hope all turns out well and that you recover soon from this injury.
Your Ravelympics projects look awesome, congratulatons on all your beautiful work.
Get well soon, dear! Pain, especially limb pain, is terrible!
Your projects are fabulous, but I have to say the hat is just wonderful! So cute.
You are so talented! No wonder you are the Michael Phelps of the Ravelympics!
I agree with the expert diagnosis, you have a boo boo and need to see a dr.
I'm so glad you had someone translate your MRI results. Isn't blogland amazing? :)
You are so talented! Your projects are amazing!
Just read your blog and was going to give you a translation of your MRI. nut I can see it's already been done. Elbow stiffness and pain is not good news for a knitter so go with your consultants advice.
hmmm. many prayers to that banged up elbow of yours is all i have to offer. ;) have lots of fun this weekend ... i do hope there are pictures to follow!
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