Questions and answers

MRI:  A fast, simple examination

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe, painless way for your physician to look into your body. The pictures created during the exam look at the soft tissue and provide information that can improve the diagnosis. This information is provided to answer the questions most frequently asked by people scheduled for an extremity MRI examination.

How long will the exam take?

The complete exam takes 30-60 minutes.

You can eat, drink and take regularly prescribed medications prior to the exam. If you will be having a leg exam, you can bring shorts to wear. Otherwise you may be asked to change into a hospital gown to avoid any possibility of interference from metal zippers and fasteners.

You will be asked to remove any jewelry, keys, pocketknife, hearing aid or any other metal objects before approaching the MRI machine. The magnet could affect items of this type or the items could affect the magnet.

What do images look like?

MR images look a lot like a conventional X-ray; however, they provide much more detailed information. The images will be provided to your physician or radiologist for interpretation.

Will I feel anything?

No. There is no pain, vibration or unusual sensation. The MRI will produce a mild tapping sound during the exam.

What is MR imaging?

MRI is a way of looking inside the body without X-rays. The exam used radio waves and a magnetic field to create images of the soft tissues of the body. These images are then transferred onto an X-ray film so the doctor can interpret them.

How is the MRI performed?

You will be asked to lie on a table and the technologist will position you comfortably. The table will slide sideways into the open magnet. Only the extremity being imaged will be in the magnet opening, so your head and body will remain outside the magnet. You will be asked to remain still during the examination.

What do I need to do during the exam?

Nothing. Just lie on the table and relax. You will be free to read or sleep during the exam.

What if I have questions?

Your physician or the MRI technologist will answer any questions you may have.

Special Notes

Please DO NOT bring the following (or any metal items) into the examination room:

Jewelry
Credit cards
Pocketknife
Money clip
Keys
Watch

Tell the doctor if you have:

Aneurysm clips
Metal plate
Metal pins
Cardiac pacemaker
Joint replacements
If you think you are pregnant