Services Our Team Schedule Appointment Locations Patient Resources Research and Publications Links		MRI Why is an MRI ordered?  An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) study may be requested by your physician in order to get a more detailed view of joints, nerves and other tissue in your body. An MRI is often useful to assess for certain types of intervertebral disc or nerve injuries in the spine. It can also provide highly detailed views of ligaments and tendons in joints, such as anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the knee. An MRI is not routinely needed for most back, neck and extremity injuries or conditions. What will happen to me during an MRI? When you arrive for an MRI exam, a technologist will review your medical history and conditions with you. If a special test called an arthrogram is ordered, a radiologist may inject the joint being examined with a contrast material during the examination. The MRI machine itself is a long tube which surrounds a motorized bed. The technologist may place headphones playing soothing music around your ears and may provide you with an eye mask for comfort if you desire. If IV contrast is needed, it will be injected at this time. The bed will then carry you into the machine. During the test, it is very important that you hold as still as possible to achieve maximum image quality in the shortest amount of time. The entire test can take up to an hour, depending on the area being imaged. What if I’m claustrophobic? Claustrophobia can be a problem during the test. Please be sure to inform your doctor if you have a tendency to be claustrophobic. Every measure is taken by the technologists to maximize your comfort, but sometimes your doctor may prescribe you a medication to keep you relaxed during the test. You will need a driver if such a medication is prescribed, as your coordination and memory may be slightly impaired. If you are unable to tolerate the MRI tube, it is possible to perform a test on an Open MRI. An Open MRI does not have a long tube and claustrophobia is much less a problem. However, image resolution is usually not as sharp, so if at all possible, the standard MRI is preferred. How does an MRI work? MRI scanners use magnetism to obtain an image of virtually any tissue, without the use of radiation. A computer applies special programs to the magnetic data and can reconstruct tissue and bone images with different techniques depending on the diagnosis. MRI should not be performed if you have a pacemaker, spine stimulator or may have sustained metallic injury such as shrapnel or iron filings. Most modern prosthetic joints and other devices are compatible with MRI. Be sure to inform your physician if you may have any of these devices or operations. Your physician will discuss the results of the imaging studies with you and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.