Musculoskeletal MRI

Because MRI can give such clear pictures of soft tissue structures near and around bones, it is usually the best choice for examination of the body's major joints, the spine for disc disease and soft tissues of the extremities. MRI is widely used to diagnose sports-related injuries, injuries related to trauma as well as degenerative changes in the joints.

Using MRI images, we can locate and identify the cause of pain, swelling or bleeding in the tissues in and around the joints and bones. The images allow us to clearly see even very small tears and injuries to tendons, ligaments and muscles and even some fractures that cannot be seen on x-rays.

In addition, MRI images can give us a clear picture of degenerative disorders such as arthritis, deterioration of joint surfaces, or a herniated disc.

Finally, MRI is also useful for the diagnosis and characterization of infections (osteomyelitis) and tumors involving bones and joints.

Some of the more common musculoskeletal applications are listed below.

Shoulder MRI

Shoulder MRI is the study of choice in diagnosing rotator cuff tears as well as arthritis. The radiologist will be able to provide your surgeon with exact size of any rotator cuff tear present on the MRI. Other structures evaluated include ligaments and tendons as well as the labrum. The labrum is better evaluated on MR arthrography

A specialized coil will be placed around the injured shoulder. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Wrist MRI

Wrist MRI is a very useful tool in evaluating the complex anatomy of the wrist joint. Structures evaluated include the triangular fibrocartilage complex, scapholunate ligament, bones of the wrist, the tendons used to flex and extend the wrist as well as the carpal tunnel. In addition to evaluating the normal structures of the wrist, a common indication for wrist MRI is evaluating for possible ganglion cysts which are common masses found in the wrist that can cause pain and may need to be removed.

A specialized coil will be placed around the injured wrist. The examination will take about 30.

Knee MRI

MRI of the knee is a very common and useful examination. It is the imaging test of choice in diagnosing and characterized tears of the meniscus. In addition, MRI can diagnose tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), collateral ligaments and surrounding tendons. MRI is very sensitive to diagnosis fluid within the knee as well. At our facility we also perform a specialized sequence the specifically evaluates the cartilage in the knee. Previously, cartilage was only poorly evaluated on MRI, however, with the latest technology and appropriate protocols our MRI is very accurate in evaluating the cartilage in the knee. Cartilage loss can either be related to trauma or associated with degenerative change such as arthritis. A specialized coil will be placed around the injured knee. You will lie on your back for about 25-30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Ankle MRI

MRI of the ankle is a useful study in evaluating the tendons of the ankle. MRI is also useful in evaluating for plantar fasciitis, ligament tears, arthritis, fractures and other causes of ankle pain such as sinus tarsi syndrome, nerve entrapments and osteochondral lesions.

A specialized coil will be placed around the injured ankle. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Pelvis/Hip MRI

MRI of the pelvis and hip is very useful in determining the source of either acute or chronic pain in the pelvis. The common causes of pain in the hip and pelvis includes: fractures, muscles strains, muscle tears, bursitis, arthritis and osteonecrosis (AVN). If your ordering physician is interested in evaluating the labrum a specialized examination called MR arthrography is suggested.

A specialized coil will be placed around the pelvis. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Cervical Spine MRI

MRI of the cervical spine is an extremely useful tool in evaluating patients with neck pain or symptoms of a pinched nerve as well as possible compression of the spinal cord. MRI can accurately assess for degenerative disc disease as well as disc herniation. The radiologist will report any narrowing of the spinal canal as well as any narrowing of the neural foramina (the space in which the nerves leave the spinal canal). The spinal cord itself will also be assessed for any abnormality.

A specialized coil will be placed around your neck. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Thoracic Spine MRI

MRI of the thoracic spine is a useful tool in evaluating patients with mid back pain or symptoms of possible compression of the spinal cord. MRI can accurately assess for degenerative disc disease as well as disc herniation. The radiologist will report any narrowing of the spinal canal as well as any narrowing of the neural foramina (the space in which the nerves leave the spinal canal). The spinal cord itself will also be assessed for any abnormality.

A specialized coil will be placed around your back. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.

Lumbar Spine MRI

MRI of the lumbar spine is an extremely useful tool in evaluating patients with low back pain or symptoms of a pinched nerve. MRI can accurately assess for degenerative disc disease as well as disc herniation. The radiologist will report any narrowing of the spinal canal as well as any narrowing of the neural foramina (the space in which the nerves leave the spinal canal).

A specialized coil will be placed around your back. You will lie on your back for about 30 minutes in the MRI machine.