Musculoskeletal MRI has a solid place in orthopedic diagnostics allowing for high-resolution imaging of joints, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and tendons in both acute and chronic disorders. MRI technique is sensitive to changes in the structure of cartilage resulting from aging, injury or illness.
It is also a reliable technique to prove the presence of fractures where conventional plain film might fail to do so.
MRI is commonly used to scan joints looking for degeneration or injuries
- Jaw / Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Shoulder / rotator cuff / AC joints
- Hand, fingers and wrist joints
- Elbow
- Hip
- Knees
- Ankles and feet
- SI joints
- Brachial plexus
MRI of the joints helps to prove the presence of edema indicating inflammation or infection, abrasions suggesting trauma or degenerative changes.
Contrast (dye)
Some symptoms and illnesses can be hard to detect even on a MRI scan and require injection of dye (contrast) before or during the scan.
It is particularly helpful in the following conditions:
- Tumours
- Inflammation
- Blood vessels
- Distinguishing between scar tissue and normal organ tissue
The injection is considered very safe for most and you will complete a safety questionnaire detailing your medical history before. The contrast agent (dye) is Gadolinium based and most of it is removed by your kidneys within the next day.
Read more about Gadolinium contrast dye
| Scan Type |
|---|
| AC Joint MRI |
| Ankle MRI |
| Elbow MRI |
| Femur MRI |
| Finger MRI |
| Hand (finger) and wrist MRI |
| Hip MRI |
| Jaw MRI |
| Knee MRI |
| Shoulder MRI |
| SI Joints MRI |
| Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) MRI |
| Thigh MRI |