Answering Your Top Questions About MRIs

MRIs are both diagnostic and monitoring tests that play a prominent role in healthcare today. If a member of our team at Peninsula Orthopedic Associates orders an MRI, you can have the exam right in our office, and our partner radiologists provide a prompt report. 

Following are our answers to your most frequently asked questions about MRIs. 

What is an MRI?

The acronym MRI means magnetic resonance imaging. An MRI takes images of your internal organs and the soft tissue inside your body. A magnetic field and radio waves create the pictures. 

The MRI provides us with cross-section images akin to pictures of slices of bread within a loaf. This way, your radiologist can see any abnormalities that we can’t detect using other types of technology, such as an X-ray. 

Why do I need an MRI and what can an MRI detect? 

You go to the doctor because something’s amiss with your health. Your doctor needs more information to make a diagnosis, so they order an MRI to provide that information. Your doctor also may need an MRI to help monitor a chronic health condition you may have. 

An MRI creates images of your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and organs. MRIs can help us diagnose a long laundry list of health conditions, from musculoskeletal injuries such as an ACL tear to bone tumors to other types of problems such as heart disease. 

What happens during an MRI? 

You store your personal belongings in a locker and change into a hospital gown. Then you lie down comfortably on a soft table. The technician explains what happens during the test. 

The table you’re on slides into the MRI machine, which is shaped like a large doughnut. Depending on which part of your body we’re testing, you may be partially or all the way inside the doughnut hole of the machine. 

The MRI test is noisy at intervals. You hear a variety of noises like a jackhammer, beeps, and buzzes. 

You must lie very still during the MRI. To help distract you from the periodic noise, we offer music of your choice. We also offer earbuds to drown out the loudest decibels of noise. We can provide a sleep mask as well. 

Our machine is a wide-bore type, which means the doughnut hole is larger than that of traditional MRI machines. If you’re claustrophobic in tight places, the wide-bore machine helps you tolerate the test. 

If you’re claustrophobic, your primary care provider also can prescribe a sedative the night before and the morning of the procedure. The technician guides you through each part of the test. You have a buzzer in your hand that you can press if you need to communicate with the technician. 

How long is an MRI?

MRIs usually take 30-50 minutes, although some can take longer depending on what we need to cover during the test. 

Do I need to do anything to prepare for the MRI? 

Take a shower before you come and don’t wear any makeup. If you have permanent  makeup, please tell our staff. Leave your jewelry at home, including earrings, rings, and any other decorative items. 

Tell our staff if you have metal in your body. Metal objects can cause burns and distort the MRI images. 

Can anyone have an MRI?

Most people can have MRIs, but not everyone. Tell us if you have a pacemaker or other metal inside your body. These could interfere with the test. You complete a thorough medical history questionnaire, which helps us determine if you’re a good candidate for an MRI. 

Call or request an appointment online at one of our convenient Peninsula Orthopedic Associates offices today for all of your musculoskeletal concerns. We’re located in Daly City, Menlo Park, and Los Gatos, California.