MR MSK

Purpose

Magnetic Resonance Imaging provides exquisite and detailed imaging of joints, bones, cartilage, tendons , ligaments, muscles and blood vessels. Detailed MR images allow specialists to evaluate the affected parts of the body and determine the presence of certain diseases.

Preparation

No specific preparation is required. However as you are placed in a strong magnetic field , patients with pace makers, aneurysm clips or ferromagnetic metallic objects must advise the MRI staff when making your booking. Stainless steel / titanium orthopaedic prosthesis are , however , not a contra-indication.

As you are placed in a tubular gantry, you may experience claustrophobia but our dedicated staff have protocols and techniques to overcome this.  It is very important that you remain still and are comfortable in the scanner and therefore intravenous sedation is sometimes required.

Procedure

You will be required to lie on a table with the body region that needs to be scanned placed in a brace-like support. We have dedicated supports  (coils) that are used to help immobilise the region/ joint that needs to be scanned. The table will then move into a wide-bore tubular gantry, which is open at both ends. During the examination you will be in constant voice contact with the Radiographer. If sedation is used your pulse and oxygen saturation levels will be monitored with a pulse oximeter. This is a small clip attached to your finger. During the examination, a relatively loud knocking noise may be heard, but this is normal. You may experience vibrations during part of the studies. The examination is entirely painless and usually lasts between 25 and 45 minutes.

After Procedure

There are no post-procedure side effects and you may continue normal activity. However, if sedation was used you will be instructed not to drive after the examination.