If your healthcare provider is recommending a knee MRI scan, you’re likely feeling pain and discomfort that is difficult to diagnose and treat without medical imaging. When you live with knee pain, you understand how vital the knee joint is to your daily life and activities. A knee MRI is the first step toward managing the source of your knee pain.
In this article, we’ll look at why healthcare providers often recommend a knee MRI, as well as how to get ready for your MRI appointment, what happens during a knee MRI, and what you can expect after your scan. We’re here to help you understand what to expect from an MRI scan of your knee.
Understanding knee MRI scans
The knee MRI scan will give your healthcare provider the information they need to understand more about your knee pain. These soft tissue images cannot usually be seen through other scans, like CT scans or X-rays. Because the knee MRI scan is so detailed, it can help diagnose a range of injuries and conditions that may be affecting your quality of life.
Why do healthcare providers usually recommend a knee MRI scan?
A knee MRI scan might be recommended when other scans, like an X-ray, do not provide the needed information to diagnose the source of your pain. A knee MRI scan shows bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Your healthcare provider might recommend this scan if you have pain and swelling in the knee area. Your doctor likely needs more specific information about the nature and origin of your pain.
What conditions is an MRI scan commonly used to help diagnose?
A knee MRI scan is used to check for soft tissue injuries to your ligaments, to your tendons, or to check for meniscus tears. There may be fluid trapped behind your knee, or arthritis and irritation could be present in the knee joint. The bone itself could also be bruised or broken, which would show up on the MRI scan.
How does an MRI create detailed images of your knees?
A knee MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to provide multiple detailed images of the bones and soft tissues surrounding your knee. Images taken from different angles can provide a complete view of the health of your knee.
The signals in an MRI scan can tell the difference between healthy tissue and damaged tissue, and these differences will be clear on the scan. The scan does not use radiation, is noninvasive, and is fairly quick.
Getting ready for your knee MRI appointment
If you are scheduled for a knee MRI, you might be anxious or nervous about the scan. Knowing what to expect can help ease your mind and help you prepare. While there are some important things to know about getting ready for the scan, the preparation itself is not complicated. Your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions to prepare, and you should follow these instructions.
What should I wear to my MRI appointment?
You should wear loose, comfortable clothing, which will make it easier for your MRI technologist to position your body for the scan. You may be asked to change into a gown for your scan.
What should I avoid wearing?
Avoid wearing anything with metal, as it will interfere with the accuracy of your scan. This includes jewelry, piercings, and clothing with metal zippers, snaps, or buckles. Hearing aids and glasses can also interfere with the scan, so be sure to remove them before the scan if possible.
Let your MRI technologist know if you have any metal implants or allergies.
Why is it important to share my medical history with the MRI technologist?
Your MRI technologist is there to make sure your scan is safe and successful. They need to know if you have any medical implants in your body that could impact the quality of your MRI, such as a pacemaker.
Be sure to tell your technologist if you may be pregnant. If your scan will use a contrast agent, be sure to let them know if you have had sensitivity to contrast agents in the past, or if you have issues with kidney function.
You will also want to tell your technologist if you have claustrophobia, as they can take steps to help make the scan more comfortable for you.
How should I prepare for an MRI if I have claustrophobia or anxiety?
If you have claustrophobia or anxiety that can be managed with breathing or relaxation techniques, these can be helpful. You may be able to wear headphones or listen to music to help ease your mind and help minimize the noise of the machine during the scan.
Keep in mind that for a knee MRI, only your lower body will go into the scanner. If your anxiety or claustrophobia requires a sedative to help you relax, ask your doctor to prescribe you something to take in preparation for your MRI.
What happens during a knee MRI?
If you are scheduled for a knee MRI scan, you will likely have questions about what happens during the scan. Know that your comfort will be important at every point during the scan. The technologist is there to help you have a successful scan and can answer any questions that you might have.
How will my body be positioned for a knee MRI scan?
During the scan you will lie down on a bed-like table that will slide into the scanner. The technologist may put a special coil around your knee. These coils are non-invasive and will not cause any discomfort. They are only here to improve the quality of your imaging on a specific area of the body.
They may use cushions or straps to help you feel comfortable and to keep your knee from moving during the scan. The table will slide your body into the scanner feet first, so your upper body will remain outside the scanner.
What should I expect during a knee MRI scan?
During the scan the machine will rotate around you, taking images of your knee from multiple angles. You will be asked to hold very still so the images are not blurred.
As the machine takes the images, you will hear thumping or clanging noises, but you will not feel anything as the images are taken.
How long will it take?
Depending on how many images are needed to capture your knee, your MRI may take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.
What will the technologist do to ensure my comfort during the scan?
The machine makes thumping and banging sounds. If this troubles you, ask the technologist for headphones or earplugs. They can also provide pillows or cushions to make sure you are comfortable on the MRI table. The comfort of the cushion can make it easier to remain still during your scan.
You will be able to communicate with the technologist during the scan, so if you have questions, they will be able to talk with you.
What should I know if my MRI scan requires contrast dye?
If your knee MRI scan requires contrast dye, you will have an IV placed in your arm or hand so that the dye can flow into your bloodstream. The dye is used to highlight areas in greater detail and contrast.
If you have had reactions to contrast agents in the past, be sure to let the technologist know. If you have limited kidney function, be sure to let them know as well.
When the dye is injected, you might have a metallic taste in your mouth or feel a warmth throughout your body. These are common side effects that pass quickly.
After the scan, be sure to continue to hydrate to help encourage the dye to clear from your body.
After your knee MRI scan
After your knee MRI scan, you will likely have questions about the next steps. These might include what to do right after the scan, what the results mean, and how long it will take to get your results. Knowing the results of your scan can help you and your healthcare provider create a plan to improve the health of your knee, and to ease the pain you have been having.
Can I go back to my normal routine after a knee MRI?
In most cases you can go back to your normal routine after a knee MRI scan. You may be asked to wait a few minutes before leaving, especially if you had contrast dye as part of your MRI. If you had a sedative during or before the scan, you would need someone else to drive you home.
What should I expect from my knee MRI results? How long will it take to get the results?
You can expect your knee MRI results to tell you whether you have damage to soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons, as well as if there is inflammation or fluid around the knee. You can also expect to know if your bones, cartilage, and meniscus have bruises, tears, or abnormalities that may be contributing to your symptoms.
The results of your MRI will typically take about one week.
Who will explain my knee MRI results to me?
Your knee MRI images will be read by a sub-specialized radiologist, who is a doctor trained in reading MRIs. The radiologist will write a report to be sent to your healthcare provider, who will then reach out to you to discuss the results.
You will be able to ask any questions about treatment options and can work together with your provider to help support the health of your knee.
How to schedule your MRI appointment with us
Touchstone Medical Imaging offers knee MRIs in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Reach out to us at Touchstone Medical Imaging, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at an imaging center near you today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: A knee MRI is usually ordered to get a detailed view of soft tissues like ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, helping to diagnose injuries or conditions that an X-ray cannot detect.
A: A knee MRI is commonly used to identify ligament tears, meniscus injuries, cartilage damage, arthritis, infections, or even tumors affecting the knee joint.
A: An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to generate high-resolution images of your knee’s internal structures without the use of radiation.
A: Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal fasteners, and avoid jewelry, belts, or anything with zippers, as metal can interfere with the MRI machine.
A: If you feel anxious about the scan, talk to your doctor in advance about relaxation techniques or medication options to help you stay calm during the scan.
A: You will lie still on a padded table while the machine captures images of your knee, with the process typically lasting between 20 minutes to an hour.
A: Your MRI images will be reviewed by a radiologist, and your doctor will typically discuss the results with you within a few days to a week.