If you have neck pain, back pain, sciatica, numbness or headaches, there is a good chance your care will include an MRI. It is the most common and most useful scan Dr. Grunch uses to find the cause of brain and spine problems. Knowing what to expect can make the experience much easier.
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It uses a strong magnet and radio waves, not X-rays, to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body. You lie on a padded table that slides into a large tube-shaped machine while it takes pictures in thin slices.
MRI is the best test for seeing soft tissues: the discs between your bones, the spinal cord, the nerves and the brain. Because it uses no radiation, it can be repeated safely when needed.
An MRI can show:
Dr. Grunch orders an MRI when your symptoms point to a nerve, spinal cord or brain problem, when pain has not improved with treatment, or when she is planning surgery. It shows her exactly where the problem is and how severe it is.
If your MRI will use contrast dye, see MRI with and without contrast for extra steps.
You will lie on your back, usually with a pillow under your knees. A frame called a coil may be placed around the area being scanned. The machine makes loud knocking and buzzing sounds, so you will get earplugs or headphones. The most important thing you can do is stay very still, because movement blurs the pictures.
A scan of one area of the spine usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. Scanning the whole spine or the brain and spine together can take an hour or more. You can talk with the technologist through an intercom, and you will hold a call button the whole time.
You can drive and go back to your normal activities right away unless you took a sedating medicine. A radiologist reads the images and sends a report, usually within a day or two.
Dr. Grunch or one of her physician assistants will go over the actual images with you at your visit, not just the report. Seeing the pictures helps you understand what is causing your symptoms. If your MRI was done somewhere else, bring the disc of images and the report to your appointment.
MRI is very safe. It uses no radiation. The main safety concern is metal, because the magnet can pull on or heat some metal objects and devices. That is why the safety screening is so important. Most spinal screws, rods and plates are safe in an MRI, though they can blur the pictures near the hardware. If MRI is not possible, or the pictures are blurred by hardware, Dr. Grunch may order a CT myelogram instead.
Most MRIs of one area of the spine take 20 to 45 minutes. Scanning more than one area, or adding contrast, takes longer.
Usually, yes. Most modern spinal screws, rods and plates are MRI-safe, though they can blur the pictures right around the hardware. Always tell the imaging center about any surgery or implant before your scan.
Tell the office before your scan. A mild medicine to help you relax may be an option, and some centers have wider or open machines. You will need someone to drive you if you take a sedating medicine.
Not for a regular MRI without contrast. Eat and take your medicines as usual unless the imaging center tells you otherwise.
The report describes what the radiologist sees, but Dr. Grunch looks at the images herself to match them to your symptoms and exam. That is how she decides what is causing your pain and which treatment makes sense.
If Dr. Grunch has ordered an MRI for you and you have questions, call 470-293-9800 or contact us. You can also ask general questions any time through our “Ask Us Anything” chat. For questions about scheduling, cost or arrival time for the test itself, call the imaging center where it is booked.
Related: All imaging and diagnostic tests · Herniated discs · Spinal stenosis
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized care from a licensed physician. Please talk to your provider about your symptoms and follow the instructions from your imaging center.
