Musculoskeletal MRI

When you arrive for your examination, you will be asked to fill out a safety questionnaire and a form to give us information about your condition and previous surgery or procedures.

For the MRI, you will lie in the scanner with a special coil over the area of your body being imaged, which needs to be in the centre of the magnet. In some cases, you will enter the MRI head-first. For the lower limbs, you will enter the MRI feet-first.

During the scan, you will need to be as still as possible. If you experience claustrophobia (fear of small places), please discuss this with us before your scan. If sedation (medication to relax you) is required, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.

MRI scanners make a loud knocking sound while the images are developed. To reduce the impact of the noise, you will be offered headphones or earplugs. You will also be offered a buzzer to press if you want to talk to the technologist at any time during the scan.

Before your Scan

Because MRI uses large and strong magnets to create images, it is important that jewellery such as watches, chains, earrings and other metallic items such as eye-glasses are removed before the scan. You may also be asked to change into an examination gown for your safety and to make sure your clothing does not affect the images and diagnostic quality of the scan.

Duration

The duration of the MRI will depend upon the area being imaged and can range from 15-30 mins. An MRI knee takes 15 mins.