Musculoskeletal MRI FAQs
-
There are many reasons why your referring practitioner may have requested a musculoskeletal MRI, such as pain or stiffness.
Musculoskeletal MRIs help diagnose joint and muscle problems, including degenerative arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, ligament and tendon tears, and sports-related injuries.
-
- You may need to provide us with your previous CT Scans or plain X-ray images. Please bring any previous scans with you to your appointment. If you had these scans with us, we will already have your images stored.
- It’s important to let us know if you have a pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips, surgical implants, or any metal in your body, as these may affect the safety of the scan. Please also inform us if you are pregnant or have ever had a piece of metal lodged in your eye or brain from an injury
- If you have a cardiac pacemaker and cochlear implants, you cannot be examined by MRI.
- If there is a possibility that you are pregnant, please let us know.
- If you feel anxious in small spaces, it’s helpful to mention this at the time of booking. If you suffer from severe claustrophobia, you make require sedation to make you more comfortable during the scan.
- You will be asked to change into a gown during the procedure, so we recommend wearing clothes that are easy to remove.
-
When you arrive, our reception team will confirm your details and ask you to complete a safety questionnaire.
Your technician will explain exactly what will happen during your procedure. It may vary slightly from what we describe below, so don’t worry if this is the case, you’ll always be in very good hands.
Before the scan, you’ll need to remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures, or other loose items, as the MRI machine uses a strong magnet. Your belongings will be safely stored during the procedure.
The MRI technologist will help position you on the scanner table. You’ll need to lie as still as possible to ensure clear images are captured. The MRI machine makes loud knocking and humming sounds while scanning, but you can wear headphones and listen to music to make this more comfortable. When the knocking stops, the computer processes the images for a few seconds before the next scan. It is important not to move or change position.
Throughout the procedure, you will be able to hear and talk to the technologist who will be monitoring the examination from an adjacent room.
In some cases, a special dye called contrast may be injected into your vein to highlight certain areas in the images. This is safe, though you might feel a brief sensation of warmth. Allergic reactions to the contrast are rare, but our staff are trained to manage them if they occur. It is important to tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to X-ray contrast before, or if you are an asthmatic.
-
A musculoskeletal MRI typically takes about 20 minutes, but in some cases, it may last up to an hour depending on the area being examined. You will be required to lay still during this time because any movement can blur the images.
-
Once the scan is complete, the images will be reviewed by a radiologist, who will create a detailed report. This report will be sent to your doctor and will also be available in your patient portal. After the scan, you can return to your normal activities unless advised otherwise during your appointment.
-
MRIs are very safe and do not involve radiation.
If contrast dye is used, there is a small chance of an allergic reaction, such as itching or a rash. This is rare, and our staff are trained to manage any issues if they occur. If you are pregnant or have any concerns about the scan, please speak with us before your appointment.
-
Your musculoskeletal MRI will be performed by a skilled MRI technologist using advanced imaging equipment. The results are reviewed by a radiologist, a doctor who specialises in medical imaging, ensuring a professional and accurate assessment of your condition.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.