Sports injuries and injuries from exercising are nothing to take lightly. If you’ve had a sports or exercise injury, your healthcare provider may recommend an MRI scan, depending on their advice and the extent of your injury.
An MRI is a great choice after a sports injury because it can give your provider highly detailed images of your injury. Also, an MRI scan is non-invasive and fairly quick, so it’s a good diagnostic scan for people who have an injury.
We’ll show you what an MRI does, how to tell if you need an MRI after a sports injury, how an MRI can help diagnose your sports injury, how to prepare for an MRI appointment, and what happens after your MRI scan for a sports injury.
How an MRI can help diagnose your sports injury
An MRI is a medical imaging scan that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body. MRIs are extremely valuable in viewing the extent of sports injuries because they can help your provider find the exact source of your injury, as well as the extent of damage the injury has caused.
When a person has a sports injury, in many cases, one of the first things a healthcare provider will do is order an MRI scan.
How does an MRI create detailed images of the body’s internal structures?
MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field inside works with radio waves and hydrogen atoms in your body to create cross-sectional images on a computer––they look kind of like slices in a loaf of bread.
The MRI machine also can produce 3D images that can be viewed from different angles. That way, your provider can get pictures of the entire area around your injury, so they can clearly see how the injury impacts your health.
What kinds of sports injuries are commonly diagnosed with an MRI?
MRIs are commonly used to diagnose sports injuries like sprains and strains, pulled hamstring muscles, anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) injuries, articular cartilage damage, achilles tendon issues, meniscus tears, bone fractures, stress fractures, and injuries of the shoulder.
How does an MRI compare to X-rays and CT scans for diagnosing a sports injury?
MRI scans are best suited for soft tissue imaging such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. For sports injuries, most healthcare providers prefer MRI scans over X-rays and CT scans to get a full picture of the injury, but this will depend on their patient’s circumstances.
How to tell if you need an MRI after a sports injury
The decision of whether or not you need an MRI after a sports injury should be made with your healthcare provider, who has the education, the training, and the experience to advise you on what to do. Many sports injuries can be complex, so it’s best to let someone who is trained in the area of sports injuries as your healthcare provider. Speak with them about if an MRI will aid in diagnosing your injury for the insights into your treatment plan.
Why did my healthcare provider recommend an MRI for my injury?
Your healthcare provider recommended you have an MRI for your injury because they want to take a closer look at your injury, so they can see how serious it is, and design the best treatment options for you. An MRI will give your provider the kind of information they need to make smart choices to support your care.
How do I know if I should get an MRI for a sports-related injury?
Healthcare providers are expertly trained to diagnose injuries and illnesses. In the case of sports injuries, they may refer you to a sports injury specialist or they may first order an MRI to take a better look at what’s going on inside your knee, shoulder, arm, leg, wrist, or whichever part of your body is injured. They will use the best tools available to find out what the problem is and how to fix it.
Preparing for your MRI appointment
MRIs and safe and painless, but there are a few preparations you’ll need to make before you have one, so you can get the most accurate results available. We’ll show you how to get ready for your MRI scan, how your technologist can make you more comfortable if you’re injured, and what you can expect from your MRI appointment.
What should I do to prepare for my MRI scan?
Because MRIs operate with large, powerful magnets, it is very important before the scan to remove any jewelry, piercings, buckles, keys, or anything you’re wearing that is made of metal. Before your scan, your technologist may ask you to change into a hospital gown.
How can my technologist make me comfortable during my MRI if I have an injury?
Remember that you will be able to communicate with your technologist throughout the entire scan. As you lay on the MRI table, your technologist will make you as comfortable as possible.
At some imaging centers, they will give you headphones to use, and you may be able to listen to music. In many cases, they will place a small rubber ball in your hand that you can squeeze if you become too claustrophobic or uncomfortable.
One of the technologist’s most important jobs is to make you comfortable, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, since the technologist is there to help you.
What should I expect during my MRI? How long will it take?
During the MRI you will hear different kinds of noises and sounds. These are nothing to be concerned about––it just means the MRI machine is operating correctly.
You will be asked to remain still and hold your breath for short periods if your scan includes the torso. This helps the machine take clearer pictures of your body and its parts.
MRIs usually take no more than an hour to do, but depending on the imaging center and your provider’s orders, it may take less time than that. Many Touchstone Imaging centers provide MRI scans with faster scanning technology to reduce your scan time to as little as 15 minutes. Either way, an MRI is quick, and will be over before you know it.
What happens after your MRI scan for a sports injury
After your MRI, you’ll be able to get dressed, and go on about your day. Your radiologist review the scan and forward those results to your healthcare provider, who will discuss them with you, and give you a chance to ask any questions.
What information can an MRI provide about the extent and nature of my sports injury?
MRI scans can produce detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels. MRIs are excellent to examine most soft tissue injuries, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bony stress injuries. With an MRI, healthcare providers assess the extent and nature of your sports injury.
Who will interpret my MRI results for a sports injury? How long will it take to get my results?
A radiologist or technologist will interpret the results of your MRI for your sports injury. They will then send those results to your healthcare provider or specialist who is in overall charge of your care. Usually this will take only one to two days. Your healthcare provider or specialist will then discuss the results with you.
How will my healthcare provider use MRI results to develop my treatment plan?
Since MRI scans are so accurate, they will show the extent of your sports injury and how much time it may require to heal. Your healthcare provider will use the results of your MRI to develop the best treatment/medication plan for you.
Sometimes, follow-up imaging scans will need to be done, depending on the seriousness of the injury, which can help to monitor the progress of your recovery.
How to schedule your MRI appointment with us
Touchstone Medical Imaging offers MRI scans in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Reach out to us at Touchstone, and we’ll help you schedule a mammogram appointment at an imaging center near you, today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An MRI creates detailed images of your body’s internal structures, helping to identify specific injuries.
MRIs are commonly used to diagnose soft tissue injuries like ligament tears, muscle strains, and cartilage damage.
Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRIs provide detailed images of soft tissues, making them better for diagnosing certain injuries.
Your provider likely recommended an MRI to get a more detailed look at your injury than other imaging methods provide.
If initial exams or imaging show unclear or complex injury details, an MRI may be needed for further assessment.
You should consider an MRI if your healthcare provider suggests it based on the type and severity of your injury.
To prepare for your MRI, follow any specific instructions given by your provider, such as fasting or removing metal objects.
During your MRI, you will lie still while the machine takes images, and the process typically takes 30-60 minutes.
