Is Your MRI Lying To You?

Is Your MRI Lying to You?

You’ve been told your knee is “bone on bone.” You’ve stared at the gloomy MRI report. But what if that image isn’t the whole truth? After all, some people with the worst signs of advanced degeneration on an MRI are still competitive athletes — while others with a perfectly “normal” scan can barely walk from pain and limited function. The real goal isn’t improving a picture — it’s getting your life back. And that begins with understanding that your body is far more capable of healing than you’ve been led to believe.

So to get your life back, what needs to happen.

Step 1: Extinguish the Fire

Chronic inflammation is the true enemy. It’s a raging fire that prevents any meaningful repair. While traditional treatments like prednisone can temporarily reduce symptoms, they are catabolic - meaning they break down your tissues over time, potentially increasing your probability of dying with long-term use .

The first step is to shut down and turn off this inflammation using anabolic (tissue-building) tools like umbilical cord-derived exosomes. In the United States, these umbilical cords are only obtained come from live donated cesarean births. They are processed in highly FDA regulated American Association Of Tissue Banks AATB.

This creates a healthy, calm environment where your body can finally begin the process of rebuilding.

Step 2: Give Your Body the Right Building Blocks

Once the fire is out, your body needs the right materials for reconstruction. Think of it like bone health: you can’t build strong bones with just vitamin D; you also need calcium and magnesium.

Similarly, your joint cartilage is a complex structure made of multiple collagen types (I, II, and III) . Treatments like PRP often provide only Type I collagen—like giving only one ingredient for a three-ingredient recipe.

To truly support repair, the body needs a full spectrum of growth factors, such as those found in Wharton's jelly (umbilical cord tissue), which provides all the necessary collagen types. It "has the meats" your body requires to rebuild itself at a cellular level.

Step 3: Reclaim Your Function

This entire process is focused on one thing: improving your function. An MRI can't measure your ability to play pickleball, climb stairs, or pick up your grandchild. Many people with terrible MRIs live active lives, while others with "normal" scans are miserable.

By reducing inflammation and providing the right cellular fuel, the body can heal itself, leading to improved function and, most importantly, a better quality of life. This isn't about a magic cure; it's about giving your body exactly what it needs to do its job.

The Martin Triangle – Compliments of Dr. Scott Martin