Where are the Upright MRI Scanners?

A physiotherapist colleague of mine treats many individuals with back pain. She recently sent me an email asking about the availabiltiy of upright MRI scanners in North America and specifically in Ontario. I thought about this and did some research and have discovered that there are not very many available in North America and in fact there are only 1 or 2 in Canada (Kamloops and Vancouver). An interesting stat when you consider the number of individuals suffering from back pain. It has been described in the radiology literature that up to 20% of disc herniations or slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) may not be seen on MRI’s done in the recumbent position. If views during scanning of the cervical and lumbar spine are done in flexion and extension, they can demonstrate instability, changes in the size and shape of disc herniations,