MRI Leads to a Quick, Comfortable Recovery for Caregiver [Ann Marie Wells]

This video features Ann Marie Wells sharing her experience with MRI services at Brookings Health System. After a knee injury, she underwent MRI imaging to identify strains and tears, which guided her treatment and helped her recover without surgery.

  • MRI Definition: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, bones, and joints.
  • Role in Diagnosis: MRI helped identify multiple knee strains and tears that were not visible on standard exams or X-rays.
  • Treatment Decisions: Detailed MRI results allowed the physician to recommend conservative treatments, avoiding surgery.
  • Patient Experience: Knowledgeable imaging staff and a supportive environment made the process comfortable and stress-free.
  • Importance of Local Care: Convenient access to MRI and follow-up care enabled timely treatment while balancing caregiving responsibilities and work.

Frequently Asked Questions

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a diagnostic tool that produces detailed images of the body’s soft tissues and joints without using radiation.

Doctors order MRIs to diagnose injuries like strains, tears, or other internal damage that may not be visible through X-rays or physical exams.

Treatment may include physical therapy, medication, injections like cortisone, or surgery if necessary. MRI results help guide the best approach.

By precisely identifying the location and severity of injuries, MRI allows physicians to recommend non-surgical interventions, such as targeted injections or therapy, when surgery is not required.

Having MRI services close to home reduces travel time, supports timely diagnosis and treatment, and allows patients, especially caregivers, to manage medical needs efficiently while maintaining daily responsibilities.

Video Transcript

I'm Ann Marie Wells. I'm an administration assistant at Harms Oil Company in Brookings, South Dakota. 

Why did your primary care doctor request and MRI?

I injured my knee by...it was like a basketball pivot. I turned and my knee stayed. It was simple, just a turn. 

What did you appreciate about the imaging staff?

She was great. She was very knowledgeable, very professional, and I was very much at ease with her. She actually helped me on and off and made sure that I was comfortable. She actually knew her job well. That's what made me comfortable.

What were the results of your MRI?

Nothing was broken, but there was a rip, a strain, and a tear in three different spots. 

Why did your doctor refer you to Dr. Dressander?

The doctor knew that there was more than one space, so she was pointing out the front below the knee and in the back, she realized that there was more than one spot. That's when she directed me to the surgeon. 

What was your impression of Dr. Dressander?

He made me feel very comfortable right to begin with. He just came bombing in the room and pulled up a chair, and shook my hand, and looked me straight in the eye, and went for it.

How did Dr. Dressander help you avoid surgery?

I don't want to have surgery. I'm 67 and I've gotten this far without surgery, so I didn't want it to be the one. So when he came in and said that, "You're not a candidate," it was, like, "Yes." He did do a cortisone shot when I went back the second time, and I had the nurse hold my hand while they did the shot. I looked away, didn't want to look at the needle. And she told me a story, which I don't remember, but she got me through it. So I don't think I could have done it without her.

What were the results of your cortisone shot?

It took a while. Some people said that it would take three to five days. Mine was about the 14th day. I finally felt some relief. I was gonna call him back up and say, "This isn't working," and then all of a sudden it was, like, click, and it took effect. 

How is your knee today?

I was doing great until last Friday, I was doing a mass mailing and I stood in one spot for very long and it came back again, but only one spot. So I'm on a brace. I'll contact the doctor and tell her what I did. They're probably gonna give me some therapy now.

Why was it important to have imaging care close to home?

That's really time, time is of the essence for me. I have my hands in a lot of different areas. It would be very difficult for me to get out of town to go and do my doctoring. Even to Sioux Falls is a very long, hard trip, and it doesn't matter if it's the weather or not. I'm a caregiver for my husband and also a full-time job. So for me to come down the road and hit up my doctors and my surgeons and be with this community, that's very important to me. And I've never had a problem here, ever.

Why do you recommend Brookings Health System?

I think they should support their community and their local doctors and anything. They should support their community. These people are very intelligent, very professional, and very caring people, so I don't have a problem coming here whatsoever. My daughters had children here. I've had to take my husband here for an emergency. I have never, ever had a problem here with any department.

What would you say to someone that is hesitant about seeking pain treatment?

I would tell them, don't wait, just do it. Do it quicker than I did. I waited around a couple of weeks. That really messed me up.

Are you one of Brookings Heath 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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