Did you know that knee pain is one of the most common health concerns that causes many to schedule an appointment with a knee doctor? The knee is a strong joint that bears the weight of most of your body and experiences a significant amount of wear and tear throughout your lifetime. The good news is, knee pain and injuries are generally quite treatable when addressed early on, and one way to get started with treatment is by getting an MRI on your knee. An MRI refers to magnetic resonance imaging, which is a type of diagnostic imaging technology used to provide your doctor with detailed scans and images of affected areas.
The MRI machine functions similarly to an X-ray, but unlike an X-ray that only shows images of bones, an MRI also allows doctors to see muscles, tendons, ligaments, soft tissues, and cartilage as well. MRI scans can help your doctor rule out certain injuries or problems while determining the most accurate diagnosis. There are a number of reasons for experiencing pain in your knee joint. An injury to the knee is an obvious example of why you may need an MRI.
However, there are also other problems that can occur in the knee including torn tendons or ligaments, arthritis, an infection, or even a bone fracture. In addition to experiencing pain in your knee, other common indications that you should seek medical treatment include swelling around the knee or difficulty bearing weight.
The cartilage that separates and cushions the bones within the knee joint can wear away with time and overuse, and the pain you are experiencing may be the bones rubbing against one another. The technician can give you some ear plugs if needed. Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of closed spaces have claustrophobia.
You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may suggest an "open" MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body. An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors. The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on.
You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise. An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.
There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return to your normal diet, activity, and medicines. MRI contains no radiation. There have been no reported side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves. The most common type of contrast dye used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance are rare. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems that need dialysis.
If you have kidney problems, please tell your provider before the test. The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well.
It can also cause small pieces of metal inside your body to move or shift. MRI can find changes in the structure of organs or other tissues. It also can find tissue damage or disease, such as infection or a tumor. Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for further study.
The images also can be reviewed remotely, such as in a clinic or an operating room. Photographs or films of selected pictures can also be made. In some cases, a contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to show certain structures more clearly in the pictures. The contrast material may be used to check blood flow, find some types of tumors, and show areas of inflammation or infection. The contrast material may be put in a vein IV in your arm or directly into your knee.
Magnetic resonance imaging MRI of the knee is done to:. MRI may also find a bone fracture when X-rays and other tests do not give a clear answer.
MRI is done more commonly than other tests to check for certain bone and joint problems. In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you get nervous in tight spaces. You may get a medicine to help you relax. If you think you'll get this medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home. You will need to remove all metal objects such as hearing aids, dentures, jewelry, watches, and hairpins from your body.
These objects may be attracted to the powerful magnet used for the test. You will need to take off all or most of your clothes, depending on which area is examined. You may be allowed to keep on your underwear if it's not in the way. You will be given a gown to use during the test.
If you are allowed to keep some of your clothes on, make sure your pockets are empty. If you wear a medicine patch, you may need to remove it. The MRI can cause burns with some patches. During the test, you will lie on a table that is part of the MRI scanner. The table will slide into the space that contains the magnet. A device called a coil may be placed over or wrapped around the area to be scanned. Some people feel nervous inside the MRI scanner. If feeling nervous keeps you from lying still, you can be given a medicine sedative to help you relax.
Inside the scanner, you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may also hear tapping or snapping noises as the MRI scans are taken. You may be given earplugs or headphones with music to reduce the noise.
It is very important to hold completely still while the scan is being done. You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time. During the test, you may be alone in the scanner room.
But the technologist will watch you through a window, and you'll be able to talk back and forth. If contrast material is needed, the technologist will usually put it in through an IV in your arm or hand.
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