Thomas Barr: Why MRI Scans are Important for Athletes

Thomas Barr, Irish Olympian and record holder, on why MRI scans are so important for athletes & how he has benefited.

As an Olympic athlete, how have you benefited from MRI scans?

MRI scans have been an integral part in aiding my physio in diagnosing injuries. I have had a recurring injury in my hip the past 4 years or so, and it was the MRI and MRA scans which indicated a labral tear in the hip joint which was causing the pain and discomfort. Emma, my physiotherapist, could then design a rehab program around this and knew what was necessary in physio sessions to keep me on track. Knowing the mechanism behind my injury took out the guesswork and saved time.

Time is of the essence for an athlete especially when it comes to summer and competition season when it is integral to be able to consistently train and compete. Having these kind of diagnostic tools can help significantly reduce time-out due to injury.

Why do you think MRI scans are so important for athletes?

MRI scans can help identify muscle tears, muscle weakness and other strains on the body and sports injuries that are hindering your performance. Identifying the problem can help you get back on the road to recovery and help design both training and physiotherapy programs to keep you on your ‘A Game’.

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