Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans the body using magnetic fields to form anatomy and physiological processes imagery, thereby giving accurate, detailed images of the body. It produces accurate, detailed images of almost every body’s internal structure, including blood vessels, organs, and bones. To get an MRI, book an appointment with the medical experts, including Casey Leong MD, a specialist in pain medicine at the Spine Centre and Orthopaedics Atlanta.
Why would one need an MRI?
An MRI can help diagnose a disease or injury and monitor how well the treatment progresses. It also provides a clearer scan for tendons, ligaments, and other tissues.
Many different conditions require MRI scans, including;
· Evaluate different causes of back pain.
· Monitor spine progress after a surgery
· Evaluate spine damages after an injury
· Check for any inflammation on the spinal cord or nerves
· Bone diseases
· Knee injuries
· Degenerative disc disease
· Check for any tumors around the spine or bone cancer
· Detect any abnormalities on the spine
· Evaluate the extent of sports injuries
Generally, an MRI can diagnose many conditions because it is detailed and comprehensive.
How does an MRI work?
Magnetic Resonance Scanners use strong Magnetic Fields, magnetic field scanners, and radio waves to generate a detailed image view of the body. Therefore, your body is not exposed to any radiation, distinguishing it from CT (Computed tomography) scans and X-rays. MRI takes cross-sectional images from top to bottom, side to side, and front to back to generate three-dimensional images. An MRI scan can take up to fifteen to ninety minutes, depending on the number of images needed and the scanned body parts.
What do I expect during an MRI scan?
Before a scan, the specialist usually tries to find out if you have any medical history that might be preventing you from having an MRI. For instance, some medical implants cannot go into the scan. The machine resembles a long narrow tube open on both ends. A table you lie down on moves into the tube, and a specialist or technologist, whom you can talk to through a microphone, monitors you from another room. The procedure is painless, and you won’t feel the magnetic or radio waves around you.
The internal part of the MRI machine magnet produces repetitive tapping noises, and you can be given earplugs or have music playing to block the noise because it is very important to lay still till the scan is over.
In some cases, a material to contrast, usually Gadolinium, will be injected through an intravenous line (IV) into your vein to help the enhancement of some specific details.
After the procedure, a doctor who has been trained to interpret the scan results, called a radiologist, will analyze the scan and report the findings to your doctor.
For orthopedic injuries that require a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan, call Spine Centre Atalanta, MRI offices in Atalanta, Savannah, Forest Park, Macon, and Decatur, or book an online appointment for any questions about Magnetic Resonance Imaging today.
