Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

What You Need To Know About MRI

How MRI works, who can use it, and what to expect during your scan.

Advanced MRI for Foot and Ankle Care

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the fastest and safest non-invasive method to get the clearest pictures of your foot and ankle condition. Since their invention in the late 1970’s, MRI has grown to become an indispensable part of practice for podiatric and orthopedic physicians.

MRI allows us the ability to see inside the body and visualize a structure, determine the extent of injury, and provide focused treatment. MRI does this all without using X-rays. Instead, MRI uses a magnetic field that absorbs or deflects the electric charge given off by the cells themselves and creates a picture from that deflected charge.

An MRI can be useful when your provider needs to look beyond what a standard X-ray can show. This includes evaluating soft tissue structures like tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, as well as identifying stress fractures, inflammation, and other sources of pain that are not visible on X-ray.

While MRI has universal applications, not everyone qualifies for its use. Those with brain aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eye, recent surgery with orthopedic implants, pacemakers, or cochlear implants should not use MRI. Our technologists are trained to determine if MRI will be allowable for use, and they will review your medical history with you before your scan to make sure it is a safe option.

Our Approach to In-Office MRI

We use industry-leading Extremity OPEN MRI machines to offer advanced imaging technology to our patients. Our MRIs are open machines, so you do not have to lie inside a tube. You comfortably sit in an attached chair and simply place your leg in the machine while the MRI takes its pictures.

Aside from being open machines, our units are much quieter than traditional MRIs, which makes the experience more comfortable for patients who may feel uneasy about imaging. There is no need to change into a gown for a foot or ankle scan, and you can remain in your normal clothing as long as it does not contain metal near the area being imaged.

The MRI process typically takes around one hour. During that time, you can relax while the machine captures a series of detailed images of the structures inside your foot or ankle. Our staff will be nearby throughout the scan and can communicate with you if you have any questions or concerns.

All of our MRIs are read by a board-certified musculoskeletal MRI radiologist who will provide a report within 24 hours. An appointment will then be made with your doctor to review the MRI and discuss a treatment plan based on the findings, so you can move forward with clear answers and a defined next step.