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All You Need to Know About MRIs

MRIs have assisted doctors in performing their jobs for four decades, and, patients are much better off for it. Invented in 1977, MRIs were hard to find and took almost five hours to produce one single image. Today, there are thousands and it only takes seconds to produce an image.

What is an MRI?
MRI—magnetic resonance imaging—provides an unparalleled view inside the human body. This medical imaging technique is used to visualize detailed internal structures for disease, conditions, and injuries that otherwise could not be detected through X-rays or CAT scans. The good contrasts an MRI provides between the different soft tissues of the body make it especially useful for orthopedic physicians to diagnose damage or disease to a patient’s muscles and joints.

How does an MRI differ from a CT scan or X-ray?
Both MRIs and CT (CAT) scans are utilized to detect the same injuries and diseases; however, unlike CT scans or traditional X-rays, MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create a highly-detailed image of the soft tissues and scanned area of the body. Furthermore, MRIs are the preferred tool for detecting orthopedic-related injuries, such as joint degeneration, fractures, and tendon and ligament damage. CT scans are commonly used for evaluating tumors.

How does an MRI work?
An MRI is a large, noninvasive device that uses magnetic properties to create nondestructive, three-dimensional images of the body’s soft tissues, including the head, spine, and joints. Because it is essentially a large and powerful magnet, it is imperative that patients remove all metal objects from their body. For an image to produce, patients lie on table that slides into the scanner for approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

Is an MRI safe?
Yes; an MRI scan is a painless radiology technique that has the advantage of producing detailed images while avoiding X-ray radiation exposure. There are no side effects of an MRI scan. The benefits of an MRI relate to its precise accuracy in detecting structural abnormalities of the body.

At Southern California Orthopedic Institute, our physicians use the GE Healthcare HDxt 1.5t Magnetic Resonance Imaging System. Our specialists are able to obtain full diagnostic results in single three-dimensional volume scans in an accurate and rapid manner for our patients.

For more information on MRI testing, contact the specialists at Southern California Orthopedic Institute at (877) 933-3387 today or visit us online.

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