What you should know about the foot and ankle magnetic resonance image, how it is done, one hundred shows, and more.
A combination of magnetic fields and radio waves can be used to take pictures of your body.Your doctor can use the images to determine if there is anything wrong with your foot or ankle.
The way the images are obtained makes it possible to see cross-sections of your body as if you had been sliced in half.
A large cylinder-shaped device, inside which is a hollow, tube- shaped space, is surrounded by a ring shaped magnet.There is an examination bed that slides in and out of the patient.
Although x-rays are not dangerous for most patients, they do use ionizing radiation, which makes it a bit riskier to use.
Even in cases in which either method would be able to provide the same information, it is often preferred over the other method.
The foot and ankle is one of the most difficult areas to get medically useful images from.
If your medical team needs to view three-dimensional images of your foot and ankle from multiple angles, they can do so with the help of magnetic resonance.It can show bone marrow and provide a high degree of contrast between soft tissues and denser tissue.
The advantage of magnetic resonance is that it doesn't usually require the injection of contrast material to improve the contrast in the images produced.It is less likely to cause an allergic reaction when such material is used.
One doctor at the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine thinks that the enormous amount of detail provided by magnetic resonance is too much for the doctor to sift through.
It is very useful for the diagnosis of a wide variety of injuries and conditions.It's helpful for evaluating soft tissue injuries.
An MRI does not require you to fast the night before.You can eat normally and take your medication of choice.You may be asked to change into a medical gown when you arrive for your appointment.
You will be asked to remove jewelry, including a wedding ring, as well as glasses, dentures, and hearing aids.If it can be avoided, don't wear an underwire bra that day.
After lying down on the examination table, you will slide the open end of the tube into the machine.You will have an intercom through which you can communicate if you need it, and the technician conducting the scans will monitor you from another room.
The procedure is painless and takes 30 to 60 minutes.You can't feel the magnetic field or the radio waves.Some people find it difficult to remain still for the duration of the scans.
The machine will make a variety of loud noises, which most patients find unnerving.The technician conducting the scans will probably provide you with some sort of protection.
The procedure presents no danger when it is done correctly and followed by appropriate safety guidelines.If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may need to be tranquilized.
If you have a metal implant or electronic device in your body or on your person, there is a chance that it could cause a safety hazard.There are examples of objects and devices.
It is a good idea to inform your doctor if you are pregnant before you get a foot or ankle exam.
Sometimes foot pain is a sign of an underlying condition.Find out when you can see your doctor.
People use orthotics to improve their feet.There are different types of orthotics used to help restore mobility.
There are five broken bones.The long bones in our feet are called the metatarsals.