Sports Injuries MRI

If you injure yourself playing sports, getting the correct diagnosis is vital for returning to full fitness. Burbank Imaging and Open MRI in Burbank, California, uses the state-of-the-art Hitachi Airis II™ Open MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology to create highly detailed MRI images of your sports injuries. The practice’s board-certified radiologists analyze the images and send a complete report to your doctor within 24 hours. For swift access to sports injuries MRI, call Burbank Imaging and Open MRI today or book an appointment online.

What is a sports injuries MRI?

An MRI machine uses a giant magnet, radio waves, and advanced computer technology to create highly detailed images of your muscles, organs, and connective tissues. It’s one of the best ways to diagnose damage to these soft tissues as it produces clearer images than an X-ray or CT scan.

Sports injuries commonly involve trauma to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. These kinds of injuries are ideal for evaluation using MRI technology.

Why would I need a sports injuries MRI?

Your doctor might want to see the results of an MRI to help them diagnose your sports injury and assess the damage in detail. The kinds of sports injuries that might require an MRI include:

• Concussion
• Dislocated shoulder
• Hamstring injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Meniscus tears
• Labral tears
• Ulnar collateral ligament (elbow) sprain
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other knee sprains

Your doctor might also use an MRI to monitor an injury and see how well it’s healing or evaluate the area following orthopedic surgery. 

How does a sports injuries MRI work?

An MRI machine contains a large magnet that emits a powerful magnetic field. Bursts of radiofrequency energy from the MRI trigger a reaction in the atoms inside your body, causing them to send out unique signals. The MRI’s computer translates these signals to produce the images your doctor uses to assess your sports injuries.

Some sports injury MRI procedures use a contrast material to produce even sharper images. The contrast is a kind of dye that your tissues absorb through your blood. The contrast makes your tissues react faster to the magnetic field and radio waves.

Can I have a sports injuries MRI if I get claustrophobic in confined spaces?

Many people find enclosed areas make them feel claustrophobic, and a traditional MRI encircles your body quite closely. However, Burbank Imaging and Open MRI overcomes this problem by using open MRI.

An open MRI isn’t tunnel-shaped like a regular MRI machine. You have plenty of space, so you won’t feel claustrophobic inside an open MRI. To help you relax even more, your technician can provide you with earphones and entertainment glasses so you can watch a video during the procedure. You can also have a friend or relative with you.

To find out more about having an open sports injuries MRI, call Burbank Imaging and Open MRI today or book an appointment online.