Answers That Move You Forward [Stacie Klosterman]

An MRI can provide answers when symptoms persist and initial treatments do not fully explain what is happening. This video shares one patient’s experience navigating an ankle injury, exploring conservative treatment first, and ultimately using MRI imaging to confirm a diagnosis and guide next steps in care. Her story highlights how imaging can help move treatment decisions forward when answers are still uncertain.

Key Takeaways

  • MRI helps confirm what may not be visible through symptoms alone: After initial treatment didn’t improve pain, MRI provided a clearer diagnosis and revealed a tendon tear.
  • Starting with conservative care is common: Initial treatment often includes rest, supportive devices, medication, and monitoring before advanced imaging is pursued.
  • MRI supports informed treatment decisions: Imaging results helped determine that surgery was the appropriate next step.
  • Comfort during imaging matters: Patient-centered care—including explanations, comfort measures, and check-ins—can improve the MRI experience.
  • Early evaluation can prevent worsening injuries: Persistent symptoms may require further assessment rather than waiting indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a noninvasive imaging test that uses magnetic technology to create detailed pictures of the body’s tissues, such as tendons, muscles, ligaments, and joints. It is often used when symptoms continue despite initial treatment or when a provider needs more information to confirm a diagnosis.

An MRI may be considered when pain, swelling, or limited function continue after conservative treatment, or when a provider suspects a structural injury such as a tear. It can help guide decisions about whether to continue nonsurgical treatment or consider another intervention.

Alternatives may include physical examination, X-rays, ultrasound, rest, supportive devices, and other conservative approaches depending on the condition. These options may be tried first before advanced imaging is recommended.

MRI is generally considered safe for many patients because it does not use ionizing radiation. However, patients must remove metal items and should inform the care team about implanted devices or other concerns before the scan.

If imaging confirms a tear, treatment options depend on the location, severity, symptoms, and patient goals. Providers may recommend continued conservative care, therapy, injections, or surgery if repair is needed.

Video Transcript

My name is Stacie Klosterman. I live in Brookings. We moved here a year ago and I am a stay-at-home mom. We have three girls, two college girls and a senior in high school.

What brought you to Brookings Health System?

What brought me here was an ankle injury. I was running through an airport trying to catch a flight. We had five minutes and I was wearing sandals. I took my sandals off so I could run faster. We made the flight but by the end of the night my foot hurt. I could hardly walk.

Why did you choose Dr. Jones?

I felt confident staying in Brookings because when I first injured my ankle I googled, "Who fixes feet?" I researched a lot of doctors here in Brookings and also in Sioux Falls. Dr. Nephi Jones stood out. I read his reviews. They were all great. A lot of people mentioned his care is wonderful. He's very patient. He's never in a hurry. He doesn't right away go to surgery as the fix. He tries to fix things before going that route. I just felt he was the perfect doctor for me. Also, living in Brookings, I didn't want to travel to Sioux Falls or anywhere else for care.

How was your visit with Dr. Jones?

Dr. Nephi Jones was wonderful. He walked in, shook my hand, looked me in the eye and asked me a lot of questions. He made me feel very comfortable. He took his time. I had lots of questions. He answered all of them. He was very knowledgeable about my foot and what he felt was wrong with it and what steps to go through moving forward.

What was your initial treatment plan?

What we tried first was a walking boot. I was supposed to wear a walking boot for 30 days, rest it, elevate, wear a compression sock, ice. I took a lot of ibuprofen. I was supposed to just take it easy. By the end of the 30 days, the pain was still there. Nothing seemed to be working.

What did Dr. Jones suggest as next steps?

He thought there may be a tear but without an MRI he wasn't sure. For insurance purposes, I think you have to start with small things to see if you can fix the issue so that's what we did but it didn't help.

How was your MRI experience?

For the MRI process, when I first walked into the building, the receptionist greeted me. The waiting room was wonderful. It was big. There was a nice big screen TV and a fireplace and it just felt very comfortable. I was nervous. I made sure I didn't have any metal on. My tech made me feel very comfortable. She said, no, you're good. You're going to be fine once we open the door and you go in the room, it'll be just fine. It was great. She helped me on the table. She made sure that I was very comfortable. She put a pillow under my legs to make my legs comfortable and a warm blanket over me. She just made the whole experience comfortable. She was very calm. I think it was about 20 to 30 minutes. It wasn't bad. My tech, she was wonderful. She said, would you like to listen to music? I said, yes, that would be great. She said, well, what kind? I said country. She gave me some ear plugs to help with some of the background noise from the machine. I probably went for 10, 15 minutes and then she came on like a speaker and checked in on me. Hey, are you okay? Is everything good? I said yes. I was very comfortable with the pillow and the blanket.

What were the results of your MRI?

The MRI showed what Dr. Nephi Jones thought, a posterior tibial tendonitis and it had a tear. It was no longer just, hey, I think it's tendonitis, may have a tear, but now it's, hey, you have tendonitis and there is definitely a tear.

What treatment was recommended?

I found out I had the tear and I knew that with time it wasn't going to get better. I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor. He just looked at me and said, I think we need to discuss surgery options. I was there. I was done with the pain. I just wanted it fixed and knowing that I had the results, it showed the tear, surgery was my fix. I was thankful I had an answer.

How is your recovery today?

I had surgery February 10 and things have been great since. I've been in my walking boot. I was non-weight bearing for the first four weeks and just last week at my follow-up appointment, my doctor said I could start putting weight on it. So it feels like I'm starting to get my life back. I'm able to walk with crutches. I'm able to go slowly up the stairs to do laundry or any cleaning I have to do on other levels. And Dr. Nephi Jones feels that with time I will make a full recovery. It's just going to take time.

What would you say to someone hesitant about seeking care for an injury?

I would say listen to your doctor. Do as you're told. Don't think that with time you can fix it because with time sometimes it can go the other way. You can actually make the injury worse and you don't want to do that.

What did you appreciate most about your care at Brookings Health System?

It just feels that everyone here at Brookings Health loves their job. That it's not a job to them. It's a passion and you feel it. When I walk the halls to go to an appointment, everyone is saying, "Hi, how are you? Can I help you? Can I point you in the right direction?" Brookings Health has a culture here that is not felt elsewhere. There's just something special about the staff here and I've just truly enjoyed coming here. I feel like I can just pull up to someone's desk and just have coffee with them because everyone is just so nice and friendly. And whether it be at the clinic, the hospital, Avera therapy right next door, everyone is just very kind and helpful and knowledgeable about their position. And I'm just thankful to have Brookings Health here in Brookings.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.

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