If you are receiving IV CONTRAST for your exam, have nothing to eat 1 hour prior to your exam time. You may drink clear liquids (example: water, ginger ale, apple juice). 

Because the MRI system uses a very powerful magnet, there are many items that cannot be brought into the exam room. Although a private locker will be provided, it is best to leave certain items at home or with someone during your MRI exam, including:

• Cell phones, pagers, iPads, or any other electronic device
• Credit cards, driver’s license, and any other card with a magnetic strip
• Loose change
• Bobby pins, safety pins or any other item with metallic pieces
• Any loose metallic items on clothing or body
• Glasses, hearing aids and items such as TENS Units will not be able to go into the exam room, but can be worn until just before entering the MRI room

Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes, such as a sweatsuit. Be sure there are no metal zippers, snaps or buckles. Do not wear earrings, hairpins, or jewelry. Do not apply eye shadow or mascara.

This exam may not be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips or a metallic hearing implant. If you are a sheet metal worker or have ever had metal fragments in your eye(s), an orbit x-ray will be taken prior to your MRI exam.

• After checking in, you will be escorted to a changing room and locker for your belongings, if needed. Remember, absolutely no metal can go in the MRI room.
• You will then meet the staff that will be performing your arthrogram. We will review the screening questionnaire and the procedure with you, answering any questions you may have.
• We will use fluoroscopy imaging to help guide the needle to the right spot in your joint. The contrast agent will expand the joint and enhance the detail on the MRI image.
• The area being injected is cleansed with antiseptic and a sterile drape placed around the injection site. Using a small needle, your technologist will inject local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, a larger needle will be used to inject the contrast material.
• Medication, such as steroids, may be injected into the joint during the exam for treatment purposes. Sometimes for pain relief.
• Next be placed on a moveable exam table which may have straps or bolsters to help keep your body from moving.
• Special coils that enhance the MRI signal will be placed near the parts of the body to be examined.
• The technologist will leave the MRI room where you are and conduct the exam from a computer in a control room. You will be able to speak with the technologist at all times. The technologist has direct visualization of you and the room. They will keep you informed of what is happening as your exam progresses.
• When the procedure begins, the table moves you into the magnet, which is a cylinder-shaped machine.
• When the images are being taken, you will hear loud knocking, tapping or thumping sounds. Earplugs or headphones with music are provided before the test begins.
• In rare cases, some patients experience side effects from the contrast material, such as nausea or headache. If you experience any discomfort, let the technologist know.