MRI Scan - Hip Joint Screening Test

An MRI is a sensitive test for evaluation of bones and surrounding soft tissues. MRI is a useful tool for evaluating many of the causes for hip joint. Hip pain can rise from many causes including problems with a patient’s bony structures as well as in their soft tissues. To choose the best possible treatment plan, a correct diagnosis is critical. Causes of hip pain may be due to tear of acetabular labrum, tumors, an infection or necrosis of the bone. The scan helps identify the actual cause from a list of potential causes.

There are no dietary restrictions that you have to follow before the scan. You can eat normally and take your prescribed medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Typically, you will be asked to change into a gown and remove articles that may affect the magnetic imaging. Some of the listed articles include jewellery, hairpins, eyeglasses, watches, wigs, dentures, hearing aids and underwire bras. Biomedical implants may cause a contradiction and prevent you from having an MRI procedure. Inform your doctor and assisting staff regarding any implants like pacemaker, artificial heart valves, cochlear implants, vascular stent or stent graft, etc.

An MRI scan for hip joint screening is when there is severe discomfort and pain of the hip. The hip pain may stem from several causes. The MRI is useful for evaluating the different causes of pain surrounding the hip joint. It is helpful to detect conditions like Bursitis, which is located at the lateral part of the hip and can be painful. Cases of muscle injury due to excessive athletic activity can also be detected by the MRI.

The duration of the procedure varies but the average time is 45 minutes to one hour per body part. Patient should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scan and fill up an MRI screening form. The patient then changed into a hospital gown to eliminate possible MRI safety issues. The weight of the patient will be noted. The patient will be required to lie still during the MR scanning. Patient may be asked to hold the breath for up to 30 seconds depending on the body part that is being examined. During the imaging, you will hear a loud intermittent banging noise. Earplugs or headphones will be provided to minimize the noise during the procedure. You will be instructed with additional instructions of the procedure by the assisting staff or technician.