MRI
Please download and complete in blue or black ink the MRI Screening Form and bring it with you to your appointment.
Please arrive for you appointment 15 minutes ahead of time.
Registration and examination will take approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Please DO NOT bring any metal items such as jewelry, money clips, credit cards, keys, pocket knife, or watch into the examination room
WHAT IS MR IMAGING?
MRI is a way of looking inside the body without x-rays. The exam uses radiowaves 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.
An MRI is a fast and simple examination. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe, totally 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 brochure is provided to answer the questions most frequently asked by people scheduled for an extremity MRI examination.
WHAT DO MR 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.
HOW IS THE MRI PERFORMED?
You will be asked to lie on a table and the technologist will position you comfortably. The table will be slid 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.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE MRI EXAM?
You can eat, drink, and take regularly-prescribed medications prior to the exam. If you will be having a leg exam, you can bring some shorts to wear. Otherwise, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown to avoid any possibility of interference from metal in zippers and fasteners.
You will be asked to remove your watch, credit cards, jewelry, keys, pocket knife, hearing aid, or any other metal objects before approaching the MRI. The magnet could affect the items of this type or the items could affect the magnet.
WILL I FEEL ANYTHING?
No. There is no pain, vibration, or unusual sensation. The MRI will produce a mild tapping sound during the exam.
TELL THE DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemaker, metal plate, joint replacements, metal pins or if you think you are pregnant.