MRI Hip Without Contrast

Quick Facts

• Non-invasive – no incisions, no injections
• Zero radiation – safe for repeated scans
• No contrast dye – no risk of allergy or kidney stress

Why Choose Cadabams Diagnostics for Hip MRI

• Same-day appointments and reporting
• Advanced 1.5T & 3T machines plus open MRI for claustrophobia
• Expert musculoskeletal radiologists
• Transparent, upfront pricing

• Bone marrow signal – detects bruising, stress fracture, or cancer spread
• Articular cartilage thickness – early arthritis or injury mapping
• Labral integrity – tears or degeneration
• Synovial fluid volume – excess fluid hints at inflammation
• Soft-tissue structures – muscles, tendons, bursae, ligaments

• Unexplained hip pain or stiffness
• Sports injuries & suspected labral tears—common in football, hockey, dance
• Avascular necrosis screening—especially with steroid use or alcohol history

Signs & Symptoms Indicating Need for Hip Imaging

• Persistent groin or outer-hip pain (>2 weeks)
• Clicking, locking, or catching in the joint
• Stiffness after sitting or waking up
• Post-injury swelling or bruising

Age Groups and Activity Levels Most Often Scanned

• Teens & 20s: athletes with suspected labral tears
• 30s–50s: runners, dancers, gym-goers with impingement
• 60+: early avascular necrosis or arthritis screening

• Zero risk of contrast allergy or kidney stress
• Detailed soft-tissue and bony detail—beats X-ray and CT for cartilage
• Same-day reporting at Cadabams—walk out with answers

• Labral tears
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Stress fractures
• Hip bursitis & tendon tears
• Early avascular necrosis—before collapse on X-ray

Instructions: Fasting, Clothing & Metal Objects

• Fasting: not required
• Clothing: wear metal-free cotton outfits or change into our gown
• Metal objects: remove watches, rings, hearing aids, piercings

Prerequisites: Recent Bloods Only If Surgery Planned

Routine bloods unnecessary for a non-contrast scan unless surgery is on the horizon.

Best Time: Morning Slots Reduce Wait Times

Book 7–9 a.m. slots for fastest check-in and relaxed parking.

Eligibility: Most Patients, Pregnancy Considerations

• Safe in pregnancy after first trimester
• Discuss any implants, pacemaker, or claustrophobia with our team

Procedure for Taking the Scan

1. Lie on the padded table—hip in a flexible coil
2. Table slides into the magnet (head-first or feet-first, your choice)
3. 20–30 minutes of loud knocking; earplugs provided
4. Remain still—movement blurs images

Caution Before the Test

• Remove pacemaker or neuro-stimulator before scan
• Inform staff of shrapnel, cochlear implants, or insulin pumps

No Gadolinium-Related Side-Effects

Skipping contrast eliminates allergic reactions and the rare but serious nephrogenic systemic fibrosis risk.

Limitations in Detecting Subtle Inflammation or Infection

Tiny inflammatory changes or early infections may be less visible; in such cases, your doctor may add contrast later.