MRI

Who is a candidate for an MRI?

A doctor may recommend an MRI if you:

• Have pain, swelling or weakness that needs to be checked
• Have had an injury to your head, spine, or joints
• Need a closer look at your brain, spine, heart or other organs
• Have been diagnosed with a condition that needs regular monitoring
• Need help planning surgery or treatment

People with metal implants, pacemakers or certain medical devices may not be able to have an MRI, so it’s important to let your doctor know before the test.

What to expect during an MRI

An MRI takes a little longer than other scans, but it’s safe and painless.

• You may be asked to change into a gown and remove all metal objects
• You’ll lie on a table that slides into a large tube-shaped machine
• You’ll need to stay very still during the scan, which usually takes 30–60 minutes
• The machine makes loud banging or tapping noises, so you may get earplugs or headphones
• Sometimes, a contrast dye is used to help certain parts of your body show up more clearly

You’ll be able to talk to the technician during the test using a microphone.

What are the risks for an MRI?

MRIs are very safe for most people. They do not use any radiation.

However:

• The strong magnets can be unsafe if you have metal in your body
• Some people feel nervous or claustrophobic inside the machine
• There’s a small chance of a reaction to the contrast dye, but it’s rare
• People with kidney problems should let their doctor know before getting contrast dye

What does recovery from an MRI entail?

There is no recovery time for most MRIs.

• You can go back to normal activities right after the test
• If you had contrast dye, you might be told to drink extra fluids
• The scan doesn’t cause pain or lasting effects

Your doctor will follow up with your results and explain the next steps.