The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer. It can be loud. The technician can give you some ear plugs if needed.
The length of a knee MRI is typically 20-25 minutes and will require you to hold very still. MRI scans are sensitive to motion and any motion may obscure information the Radiologist uses to make a formal report.
keyboard_arrow_down. A knee MRI usually takes 30 minutes to complete.
Full body MRIs can cause some patients to experience feelings of claustrophobia. During a knee MRI, only part of the body enters the scanner tube, yet patients can experience symptoms of claustrophobia. Please make your doctor aware of your claustrophobia prior to scheduling your MRI.
You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Please remove your watches, glasses, jewelry, and wallet. Certain types of metal can cause blurry images. You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a large tunnel-like scanner.
Clothing: it is best to wear something light weight and comfortable that is easy to take on and off if needed. Avoid wearing items of clothing that has metal buttons, zippers or hooks.
Arthritis mostly affects the joints and surrounding tissues. Any damage in these areas will be visible on an MRI scan. A radiologist or other type of doctor will look for the following signs of arthritis: damage to the cartilage.
An MRI test can tell whether you have a meniscus tear or other related injuries, and it can help with treatment decisions. Arthroscopy can identify a meniscus tear and treat it at the same time. It can also see if you have other injuries.
For a knee MRI, you'll go in feet first, and only your lower body will be in the tube. An MRI knee scan looks very similar to an MRI of any other body part. The technician will ask you to lie down on a table that will move into the scanning machine.
The most common knee injuries (inflammation, fluid in your joint, nerve damage, etc.) show up clearly and in great detail in an MR image. If you are experiencing knee pain, swelling, or weakness, your doctor will likely recommend you get an MRI to diagnose what is causing those symptoms.
The radiologist may discuss early results of the MRI with you right after the test. Complete results are usually ready for your doctor in 1 to 2 days. Normal: The ligaments, meniscus, tendons, bones, and joints look normal in size, shape, and location.
Preparation: You may eat and drink before the exam and take your medications. The day before your exam drink plenty of water so you are well hydrated.
Sometimes, knee pain may result from referred pain from a different body area. For example, pain in the hip or back can cause pain in the knee joint. In these cases, an MRI of the knee may not show any abnormalities, and further testing may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the pain.
Inflammation. An MRI can show inflammation or infection of soft tissue or bone marrow, will help pinpoint where the inflammation is located, and if there is a treatable cause. Not only would an MRI scan help in the diagnostic process, but it would also be a key tool in monitoring the patient's response to treatment.
MRI features characteristic of OA include focal loss of articular (hyaline) cartilage, osteophytes, subchondral marrow lesions, and joint effusion. Frequently seen with OA and with a probable association are meniscal tears, especially meniscal extrusion, and periligamentous edema at the MCL11.
For women, if possible, do not wear an underwire bra (the metal can throw off the magnetic field). Sports bras are usually good and we have hospital gowns to change into if necessary. The clasps on the back of a regular bra are not a problem, but avoid wearing bras that have metal parts on the straps.
If you're familiar with imaging centers or scans, such as MRI and CT, then you're likely aware of the fact that prior to any of these scans, a radiology technologist will politely ask you to please remove your jewelry and clothing and change into a specified gown. We ask our patients to do this to prevent injury.
Radial tears and meniscal root tears are easily overlooked on MR as they are often visible on a single image only and are the exception to the often-used two-slice touch rule (Fig. 8) [22, 23]. These tend to be degenerative in origin in the medial meniscus and trauma-related in the lateral meniscus [22].
Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.
You will change into scrubs or a gown. To ensure a safe exam, all clothing must be removed as well as the following: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any under garment that could have metal in it.
You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Please remove your watches, glasses, jewelry, and wallet. MRI can pull on any metal objects. Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.