MRI Extremities

What is an MRI Extremities scan?

An MRI Extremities scan is a radiation-free imaging test that uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your limbs. The machine focuses only on the body part that hurts—your wrist, knee, ankle, or any other extremity—so you spend less time inside and get faster results.

Who needs this imaging test?

• Weekend warriors with lingering knee pain
• Marathon runners checking for stress fractures
• Anyone with joint swelling that hasn’t eased in two weeks
• Post-surgery patients who want to see how well they’re healing

• Bone marrow signal – spots hidden stress fractures.
• Ligament & tendon integrity – grades sprains and tears.
• Cartilage thickness – maps arthritis damage.
• Synovial fluid & inflammation – detects early rheumatoid change.
• Soft-tissue masses – distinguishes cysts from tumors.

• Unexplained swelling or deformity
• Monitoring arthritis progression
• Evaluating tumor or infection extent
• Checking if surgery is truly necessary

• Non-invasive & radiation-free – safe for kids and adults.
• High-resolution multi-planar images – see every angle.
• Guides targeted treatment & surgery planning – no guesswork.

• Torn ligaments & meniscus
• Stress fractures
• Osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
• Soft-tissue tumors
• Avascular necrosis

Remove all metal objects—jewelry, watches, hairpins. Inform staff about implants, pacemakers, or prior contrast allergies. Fast 2 hrs if your scan needs gadolinium.

• Doctor’s prescription (hard copy or digital).
• Recent blood creatinine report (if contrast study).

• Early morning slots – shorter wait, fresher staff.
• Post-injury within 48-72 hrs – captures acute trauma before swelling masks detail.

• Adults & children >5 yrs (smaller kids may need sedation).
• Pregnancy avoided in 1st trimester unless urgent.

1. Positioning & coil placement – 15 min. You lie on the table; a special coil cups the joint.
2. Scanning time – 20–40 min. Stay still; you’ll hear knocking sounds.
3. Contrast injection if ordered – extra 10 min through a small IV.

• Double-check MRI-unsafe implants with our technician.
• Ask for sedation if you are claustrophobic; we use mild oral relaxants.

MRI safety: pacemakers, implants, claustrophobia

• Most implants are safe; some older pacemakers are not.
• Tell us about every device or metal fragment.
• Open-bore design and music headphones ease claustrophobia.

Limitations

• Metal artifacts from screws can blur images.
• Patient motion may require a short re-scan.