Orthopedic MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comes in handy during comprehensive imaging for more precise and accurate orthopedics diagnoses. It gives orthopedic surgeons the capability of looking inside your body for hints about your health condition. If your doctor has recommended an MRI scan, do not panic since the process is painless and quick.

However, it should be conducted by a qualified and experienced radiologist/technologist for quality imaging results. If you wish to undergo MRI scanning in Los Angeles, reach out to us at Los Angeles Diagnostics clinic right away to schedule an appointment. We feature the latest MRI machines and guarantee that our radiologists will ensure the best possible results for your test.

MRI Overview

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) refers to a diagnostic technique that usually uses a computer, radio waves, and a large magnet to generate comprehensive images of body structures and organs. For instance, an MRI of the knee allows the doctor to examine all parts of the knee, including muscles, tendons, cartilage, etc. MRI doesn’t use radiation like x-rays. It’s also painless and generally takes only thirty minutes to one hour.

How an MRI Machine Works

An MRI imaging scanner consists of two magnets. The magnets are the machine’s most vital parts. Your body mostly consists of water molecules which comprise hydrogen atoms and oxygen. At the center of an atom sits a proton. The proton is sensitive to magnets and usually operates as a magnet.

Usually, water molecules in the body are randomly arranged, but on entering the MRI machine, the first magnetic field aligns them in one direction—either north or south. The second magnetic field is then switched on and off in a sequence of quick pulses, making all the hydrogen atoms change alignment when turned on and switch to their initial relaxed state.

As the atoms realign to their original position, they emit radio signals. The computer receives these signals, analyzes and transforms them to create a 2D (two-dimensional) image of the part being examined. The image will then appear on a monitor, and the radiologist can see it.

Electricity traveling through the gradient coils makes them vibrate and create a magnetic field, leading to the machine’s knocking sound. Whereas you cannot feel the changes, the MRI machine can detect them.

MRI and Orthopedics

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system and its interconnecting parts, including the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons. An individual who specializes in orthopedics is called an orthopedist. Orthopedists use both non-surgical and surgical approaches to treat various skeletal issues like joint pain, back problems, and sports injuries.

MRI has found its way in orthopedics, and here it’s referred to as musculoskeletal/orthopedic MRI. Orthopedic MRI is used to inspect joints, bones, and soft tissue like muscles, tendons, and cartilage for any injuries or to check if there’s any:

Structural damage
Infection
Structural abnormalities
Tumors
Defects,
Congenital abnormalities
Inflammatory disease
Bone marrow disease
Osteonecrosis
Degeneration or herniation of spinal cord discs

MRI can also be useful in evaluating results after a corrective orthopedic procedure. Joint deterioration due to arthritis can also be monitored using MRI. There could be different other reasons that may make your doctor suggest that you undergo an orthopedic MRI.

Examples of musculoskeletal MRI include:

Knee
Foot
Ankle
Lower leg
Elbow
Shoulder
Thigh
Hand
Wrist
Arm
Spine imaging may be categorized as Neuro or orthopedic.

MRI Arthrogram

An MRI arthrogram is a diagnostic test that examines the inside of a joint. It’s performed in two parts. The exam is conducted by first injecting contrast medium directly into the joint. This is generally done using fluoroscopy to guide needle placement and ensure the contrast is in the right location. The contrast helps differentiate the tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue structures. You’ll then enter an MRI machine, where detailed images will be obtained. The most prevalent arthrograms are of the shoulder due to the complexity of the joint. They are known as shoulder MRIs or MRI shoulder arthrograms.

Advantages of MRI for Orthopedic Surgeons

MRI is an exam that an orthopedic surgeon can order when planning surgery. When combined with a physical examination, an MRI reading’s diagnostic accuracy will be much higher than a physical exam alone.

Orthopedic MRI is Precise and Safe for Surgeons

As a surgeon, using MRI instead of other diagnostic tools comes with several benefits. MRI is more comprehensive than X-rays, which take images of the bones. It doesn’t require radiation, and it’s a safe procedure. Broken bone repair and joint replacement are among the most prevalent surgical procedures in the United States. The knee is among the most complex joints in the body and supports the majority of body weight. This makes it vulnerable to different forms of damage and injuries. It’s the joint that most often needs surgery or replacement.

The precision and accuracy of MRI can help in diagnosing conditions like the ones we mentioned above. Correctly diagnosing conditions is essential, and MRI helps orthopedic surgeons do so.

Preparing for Orthopedic MRI

Preparing for orthopedic MRI involves the following aspects:

Clothing— you have to remove your clothes, put on a hospital gown, and then lock away all your belongings. You will be provided with a locker to put the belongings. You should remove all body piercings, jewelry, hairpins, watch, eyeglasses, dentures, wigs, underwire bra, hearing aid, and cosmetics containing metal particles.
Drink/eat— for most exams, you may drink, eat, and take medication as usual. However, there are specialty MRI examinations that need given restrictions. Your doctor will provide you with detailed preparation instructions after scheduling your exam.
What you should expect— MRI imaging occurs inside a large tube-shaped structure that’s open on the two ends. You have to lie still for the radiologist to obtain quality images. Because of the loud noise produced by the MRI scanner, you may request that your radiologist provide you with earplugs.
Anti-anxiety medications— if you need anti-anxiety medicine because of claustrophobia, let your doctor prescribe it to you. Remember that you’ll need someone to take you home after the exam.
Allergic reaction— if you know you’re allergic to contrast dye to a point you would need medical attention, ask your doctor to recommend a prescription. You’ll likely take the medication orally twenty-four, twelve, and two hours before the examination.
Powerful magnetic environment— in case you have any metal in your body that wasn’t disclosed before your initial appointment, your exam might be delayed, canceled, or rescheduled until your doctor can obtain further info. Depending on your health condition, your doctor may need you to undergo other specific preparations.

During an Orthopedic MRI Scan

An orthopedic MRI scan can be conducted as part of your stay in the hospital or on an outpatient basis. Procedures might vary based on your physician’s practices and your health condition. But generally, orthopedic MRI follows these steps:

You’ll be required to take off any clothing, eyeglasses, jewelry, hairpins, hearing aids, detachable dentures, or any other object that might interfere with the exam.
If you’re asked to take off your clothes, you’ll be provided with a hospital gown to put on.
If the procedure you’ll undergo will be performed using contrast dye, an IV (intravenous) line is created in the arm or hand to inject the dye.
You’ll lie face-up on a table that will slide into the MRI machine opening. Straps and pillows may be utilized to help you achieve stillness during the exam.
The radiologist will be seated in a different room where the MRI machine controls are placed. However, you’ll constantly be seeing the radiologist via a window. Speakers in the MRI machine will make it possible for the radiologist to hear and communicate with you. You’ll have a call button that will enable you to inform the radiologist if you’re having any issues during the process. The radiologist will constantly be watching and communicating with you.
You’ll be provided with a headset or earplugs to wear, which will help block the loud noise generated by the MRI machine. Some headsets might have music that will distract you from the noise.
A clicking sound will be heard during scanning when the scanner creates a magnetic field, and radio waves pulses are sent/emitted from the machine.
You must remain perfectly still during scanning since any movement may distort the resulting image and affect its quality.
You might be directed not to breathe or hold your breath at intervals for a couple of seconds based on the part undergoing examination. You’ll then be informed when to breathe. You shouldn’t have to hold your breath for more than just a couple of seconds.
In case the procedure involves using contrast dye, you may experience some effects after the radiologist injects the dye into the Intravenous line. The effects may include a metallic or salty taste in your mouth, feeling cold or a flushing sensation, itching, a short headache, vomiting, or nausea. Usually, these effects last for only a brief period.
You should inform the radiologist if you experience sweating, breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, or numbness.
Once the scanning process is over, the table slides out of the MRI machine, and you’ll be helped off it.
If an intravenous line was placed for contrast dye administration, the radiologist removes it.

Whereas the orthopedic MRI process itself doesn’t cause any pain, remaining still for as long as the procedure lasts could cause some pain or discomfort, especially if you recently had an invasive procedure like surgery or injury. The radiologist will apply all possible measures to achieve comfort and finish the process as fast as possible to reduce pain or discomfort.

After the MRI

You have to wake up slowly from the scanning table, so you don’t experience any lightheadedness or dizziness due to lying still for an extended period.

If you were sedated, you might have to wait until the effect of the sedatives has worn off. Additionally, you shouldn’t drive yourself home.

In case contrast dye was used for your scanning, you might be observed for a given period for any reactions or side effects to the dye, like rashes, swelling, difficulty breathing, or itching.

If you experience any pain, inflammation at the Intravenous site, or redness when you go back home after the scan, you have to notify your doctor. These may be a sign of infection or any other form of reaction to the dye.

Otherwise, there’s no special care needed after an orthopedic MRI. You can resume your normal activities and diet unless your doctor advises you otherwise.

Your doctor might give you alternate or additional instructions once the MRI process is over based on your specific situation.

Orthopedic MRI Results

After the scanning procedure, the radiologist will analyze the images produced by the scan and report their findings to your physician. The doctor then discusses critical findings and the next steps with you.

Orthopedic MRI Risks

Since radiation isn’t used, there isn’t any risk of being exposed to ionizing radiation when undergoing an MRI exam. However, the general MRI risks are:

Metal Devices— because MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, special precautions have to be observed if you have given metal objects in your body, including:

Cochlear implants
Pacemakers
Implanted nerve stimulators
Implanted drug infusion pumps
An implantable heart defibrillator
Artificial heart valves
Metallic joint prostheses
Metal clips
Wire mesh
Metal plates, screws, pins, surgical staples/clips, or stents
Intrauterine device
Shrapnel, bullet, or any other kind of metal fragment

Every patient has to undergo screening before being exposed to the MRI magnetic field. The radiologist will also require some info concerning any device you have implanted in you, for instance, the model number and make, to establish if it’s safe for you to undergo the MRI exam. If you have any internal metal object that’s not MRI-safe, an MRI procedure may not be recommended for you.

Claustrophobia— claustrophobia is the fear of tight spaces. If there’s a chance that you’re claustrophobic, you should request your doctor to administer anti-anxiety medicine or medication to put you to sleep before your MRI exam. You also should arrange to have somebody take you home after the process.

Alternatively, you can opt for extremity or open MRI. With extremity MRIs, you don’t need to lie in the tube. Instead, if you have an MRI of the foot, ankle, knee, wrist, or elbow, you can simply place that body part alone in the MRI machine. However, this kind of machine doesn’t work for MRI of the spine, shoulders, pelvis, or hips. On the other hand, open MRIs are open at both ends so that you won’t feel very much enclosed. However, the images generated by open MRIs aren’t as quality as those created by a closed MRI. Therefore, most doctors may still prefer open MRI.

Kidney Failure— if you’re on kidney dialysis or have severe kidney disease, there’s a high risk of developing a condition known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis if contrast dye is used for your exam. You have to discuss this danger with your physician before the test. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a very rare but severe MRI complication if contrast dye is used in patients with kidney failure or kidney disease. In case you have a history of a kidney transplant, kidney failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or are on dialysis, you have to notify the radiologist before receiving contrast dye.

Pregnancy— If you’re pregnant or think that you might be expectant, you must inform your doctor before undergoing the scan. To date, there’s no available evidence that shows MRI can harm a fetus. However, an MRI exam during your first trimester of pregnancy is highly discouraged.

Allergic reaction— your doctor may recommend using contrast dye during your MRI exam for the technologist to view internal blood vessels and tissues on the generated images more clearly. In case contrast dye is used, there’s a risk of an allergic reaction to it. If you are sensitive or allergic to iodine or contrast dye, you should inform the radiologist before taking the exam.

Tattoos— if you have permanent makeup or tattoos, ask your medical provider whether they may affect the MRI. Some of the darker inks used to draw tattoos and permanent makeup contain metal.

Contrast dye may also impact other conditions like asthma, allergies, low blood pressure (hypotension), anemia, sickle cell disease, and kidney disease.

There could be other risks based on your precise medical condition. Ensure you mention any concerns you have to your physician before the procedure.

Find a Los Angeles Radiologist Near Me

At Los Angeles Diagnostics clinic, we provide patients with comprehensive, high-quality orthopedic MRI testing. Imaging examinations are conducted by our board-certified, highly-trained technologists and radiologists. We have also invested in the latest-advanced MRI machines to provide fast and accurate diagnoses. Kindly contact us at 323-486-7502 if you wish to undergo an MRI exam in Los Angeles, CA, and we will work to ensure we obtain the best possible results and correct diagnosis.