Elbow Stiffness or Loss of Range of Motion: When an MRI Scan Is Necessary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is meant by elbow stiffness or loss of range of motion?

Elbow stiffness refers to difficulty fully:

  • Straightening the arm
  • Bending the elbow
  • Rotating the forearm smoothly

Patients may notice that movement feels blocked, tight, or painful, rather than simply weak.

What causes elbow stiffness?

Common causes include:

  • Joint capsule thickening or scarring
  • Cartilage injury or degeneration
  • Loose bodies within the joint
  • Ligament injury leading to altered joint mechanics
  • Post-injury inflammation or swelling
  • Post-surgical changes

These conditions often coexist and cannot be reliably identified without imaging.

Why is elbow stiffness a concern even without severe pain?

Loss of motion may indicate:

  • Structural changes within the joint
  • Early joint damage progressing silently
  • Mechanical blockage that will not improve with exercise alone

Delayed diagnosis can make stiffness harder to reverse over time.

Why is MRI important when elbow range of motion is reduced?

Core Medical Principles

  • MRI is one of the most accurate imaging modalities currently available.
  • Without accurate imaging, no doctor—regardless of experience—can reliably make a precise diagnosis.
  • Without accurate diagnosis, treatment plans become generic, presumptive, and often fail.
  • Many failed treatments are due to trial-and-error care without imaging.
  • Based on modern medical technology and current standard of care, MRI should be considered when elbow stiffness or loss of range of motion persists.
  • MRI is safe and does NOT involve ionising radiation.

MRI can assess cartilage, joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, bone marrow, and intra-articular pathology in one examination.

Why are physiotherapy and exercise sometimes ineffective?

Physiotherapy may fail when:

  • A mechanical block (e.g. loose body) is present
  • Scar tissue limits joint movement
  • Cartilage damage is unrecognised

Without knowing the underlying cause, exercise alone may not restore movement.

Why are X-rays often insufficient for stiff elbows?

X-rays may show bone alignment but cannot:

  • Visualise cartilage or joint capsule
  • Identify soft tissue scarring
  • Detect early joint degeneration

A normal X-ray does not exclude significant internal pathology.

What happens if MRI is delayed?

Delaying MRI may result in:

  • Progressive loss of motion
  • Chronic stiffness that becomes difficult to reverse
  • Prolonged functional limitation affecting work or daily activities

Early imaging supports timely and appropriate intervention.

Is MRI expensive or difficult to arrange?

Addressing Patient Objections

  • Cost concerns: MRI costs may be partially offset by Medisave or insurance.
  • Delays elsewhere: External imaging centres often involve long waiting times.

These factors commonly delay accurate diagnosis.

Why arrange your elbow MRI at The Pain Relief Clinic?

Clinic Positioning

The Pain Relief Clinic is:

  • Centrally located at 350 Orchard Road, Shaw House
  • A 5-minute walk from Orchard MRT
  • Equipped with convenient parking
  • Located immediately outside ERP

Key advantages:

  • MRI machine on-site
  • Doctor can assess and arrange MRI immediately
  • No need to:
    • Visit a separate imaging centre
    • Find another doctor just for an MRI referral
  • The doctor has been helping patients with spine and joint-related problems since 2007 (18 years)
  • Focus on non-invasive, technology-powered treatments

MRI aims:

  • Under $1000
  • Within 1 working day

Can insurance or Medisave help cover elbow MRI costs?

Insurance & Cost Information

MRI may be covered by:

  • Personal accident insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Company insurance
  • Company flexi-benefits
  • Hospitalisation plans (policy-dependent)

Medisave limits:

  • Current: $300
  • From 1 January 2026: $600

Medisave can potentially cover more than half of the MRI cost, depending on eligibility.

When should I seriously consider an MRI for elbow stiffness?

MRI should be considered if:

  • Elbow movement remains limited despite treatment
  • Stiffness interferes with work, sport, or daily tasks
  • Progression of movement loss is noted

MRI helps move care from assumption-based management to precise, evidence-based diagnosis.

For more information or to arrange an MRI scan, contact The Pain Relief Clinic via WhatsApp at +65 9068 9605.

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