COMMENTS
I had an MRI of my left knee this afternooon after a snowboarding injury 5 weeks ago. It was terrifying and took about 30 mins. I have to say that I was delighted when it was over!
The nurse who did it was lovely and gave me a button to press in case I case I panicked, and headphones with the radio playing quite loudly - but those jack hammer type sounds still made my blood run cold!
I have been given the images on a CD to take to the doc when I go back in a few days time and they send the report directly thee. I would love to be able to know how to read them though as there is a lot of images which look like there is something very wrong - so I am just left to guess and speculate till my next visit to the Orthopaedic Surgeon.
PS: the MRI does not hurt at all - I was just freaked out by the noise and the fact that my whole body was in a magnetic chamber!
I had a MRI done today on my right knee and leg. The MRI was done because I have been having pain in my knee and all around it. My leg right above my knee is quite a bit swollen and we (doc and I) have no idea what is going on.
Needless to say the procedure took about 35 mins. It was quite noisy at times. The nurse gave me some ear plugs which did not take all the noise away I could still hear everything. What made me nervous was the fact my leg kept twitching which they told me it was normal to do. The MRI blew cool air over my body which made me very comfortable.
I am hopeing to hear back soon on the results.
I've had multiple knee MRIs and they are completely painless. Sometimes they use what's called a "coil." The have you put your affected knee in a plastic contraption then close it. It doesn't hurt, isn't uncomfortable or anything. It just helps to focus the magnet on the knee.
Very useful diagnostic scan.
i had an mri on my left knee on 07/21/09 it want that bad they had headphone wiht music on to help drown out he noise and i was givien a panic button if i needed to get out the harest pat was tryignto hold your entire body still for that long it took about 15-20 minuets and was jsut my left knee but i was told i had to keep from movng my entire lower half and most of my upper half
My knee MRI was very
painful . It hurt my back and my leg because I cannot lay flat on my back with my leg extended without further injury - and that's what the tech did despite telling her it was a problem. I finally said I couldn't go on so the study was not complete. I was in pain the next day. I need an MRI where I can sit - open MRIs do not allow for that. There is no problem with the noise or claustraphobia - it's the position that caused injury. I was quite annoyed that she complained about movement when I was being tortured. The tech needs to experience that kind of pain.
Oh heck,
i am due an mri scan a few days time, and reading some comments i'm dreading it now. Someone told me, that despite it being the knee that is to be scanned, one's whole body has to go into the thing.I don't know too about keeping entirely still, as i've spondylosis( spine) and am likely to suffer cramps of the legs, esp if have to elevate the leg; and if having to lie down for up to half an hour, i hope someone will give me a hand to get up again. So i might end up being in a right bonny state ( haha)
I've arthritis in various places other than the spine, e.g in feet(which could also go into cramps and spasms) and wrists and hands etc and my Dr and i now think it's in my knees too( hopefully the scan will show exactly what's going on) as a few weeks ago, i was in real bad pain in and around right knee, with a swelling the size of a large grapefruit to the side above the knee itself. At same time i kept having bad pain over the shin bone, very sore to touch or bide the bedclothes even touching skin. I checked this out on the internet and it appears that could have been "shin splints, but it seemed connected to the knee problem. Now the swelling has gone down, and much less painful and inflamed. So i am hoping that the scan doesn't make a complete fool of me in showing everything as normal. My own fault i guess if it does, as i ought to have gone to see a dr when it was quite bad and had the scan then. But i have been moving home, and had to visit new dr as a new patient routine thing, in order that i can have my repeat prescriptions. So because i had to go, i mentioned the trouble i'd had and Dr could see there was still some swelling (about half the size to what it had gotten to be when bad) and now there is still a collection of fluid, but obviously it is subsiding and getting better and i bet nothin's going to show up. Or maybe it has all been due to the spinal thing, because when it was bad, i had severe pain too down top half of leg also, like a pulling pain of the muscles, which hurt right up to the hip also. If something (muscle through the spine problem) caused all this carry on, i wonder if that would show up on the scan?
Does anyone know if nail varnish has to be removed for the scan?
I'll come back after it's over and be in better position then ( if i survive the experience :-D)to comment on it. Kindest and Good Luck to any others about to have the scan.
Hi Pennie, had an MRI scan three days ago on my knee. Its really nothing to worry about. Your head DOES NOT go inside the scanner so it is not cloustrphobic at all. Excuse the spelling. Its just very noisy but nothing too bad. Good luck.
Hiya Chris,
Many Thanks:-)Hope all goes well with you and that scan will show what the bother with your knee is, and that it can be fixed to save you from being in pain/discomfort. If i'm not sounding too cheeky or imposing, i hope that you can drop a note into the forum here, when your results are known and how you come on in the near future with it (treatment, etc..)
i survived it, had it done same day as you wrote your message here. (Saturday 19th, just after lunchtime) and you were right, i didn't even go right into the drum. I think it was only for fifteen minutes too:-) I felt a bit guilty though, considering that many good people have to go all the way into the device.
If it is of any comfort to those who are facing going for a scan, i feel that passing a tip on which our kind & lovely postie passed onto me Saturday morning, might help. Having spondylosis of most of the spine( this damage was all found just with x rays, years ago) and arthritis in my feet- (and is now thought the knees also, hence the scan after recent swelling & inflamation which had brought on shin-splints also and swelling of parts of the leg)- i'm already bit slow in walking, usually with the aid of a walking crutch, so i have a notice pinned on my front door asking any callers if they could please give me enough time to answer the door. On Saturday morning the postie had to knock on my door as he had a parcel to hand to me. He joked on that i seemed a "bit quicker this morning" (i had been more nearer the door, more like it) and asked "had i been practising for the Great North Run" A big charity race event held over the weekend up here in the North-East of England. I laughed and said "more like i was bracing myself for the scan that day"(haha) Apparently he'd had one, but since it was in his body he'd had to go inside the drum. He advised me if this happened with me, that, there was a little window at the top of the scanner, where you can look out of and see the medics etc.. working in the office.I never got to go that far in to see this window, and maybe all devices aren't the same (the post-gent had his scan at same hospital [Darlington, UK] as i was booked in for.) But if there is a window in other scans, then i am passing this on, in hopes of helping others. It's advice which i was certainly going to act upon had i gone all the way inside it.
When the funny noises started up ( and just keep it in mind anyone else about to go for scan, thats all they are - just "funny noises") i felt like laughing at them. I suppose too, it's just the time factor, being aware of time, as you are lying there with nothing to do but keep still. I had already set for myself an exercise, to see how far i could count up too, during the whole period. I was aware that i was counting slower than the seconds and manage to get up to 400 and something. A memorized poem or verse could serve just as well, if just a verse, set yourself the task of seeing how many times you are going to be able to repeat it in your head. Once i was there though, i recall a lovely relaxation came over me, i'd imagine some forms of yoga or meditation being like it. My biggest fear was going to be the pain i usually have in my back and cramps, as is often the case at home in bed. But throughout, i had no pain or even sensation of my whole body at all, and lying so flat as that at home, for me is nigh impossible through the spinal bother.. It was as if Angels are in such places, instilling peace into us.
All The Very Best to you Chris & everyone else who've had or who are about to have a scan.
Kindest & God Bless from pennine
MRI's They need a video in the waiting room and someone needs to tell you to wear socks and soft comfy clothes, perhaps bring your own ear phones or plugs. SHEESH So here is my best idea as I had both knees done two weeks ago. One knee each day.
1. Please make sure the tech gets you really comfortable. I have a bad shoulder and the first time I thought I could just fold my hands and let it rest. Bad idea. At the end I was in shoulder pain and terrified to move even my upper body as I didn't want to ruin the picture. Also make sure that if it is a knee that they use a little cushion to give it support for hyper extending. My knee became far more swollen that night after I was home. Hyperextension really hurts it.
2) Good news is the machine sounds a bit like popping corn which is a lovely visual. Second time around and ready to go into a zen trance I played mental games with the bings and bongs. Colored popcorn in the pot layer by layer and then shook it up. Tried painting a water color of sunflowers lots of dots of paint. Last but not least thinking about all the colors in the crayon box. Start with 5 go to 8 if you make it to 64 you have won. My husband thinks he would work on option strategies UGH. Well to each their own. Hope this helps.
I had an MRI on my knee 6 weeks ago - I loved it! Nice and relaxing.
Unfortunatley the MRI scan didn't help in wokring out what's wrong with the knee..
I had an MRI couple of days ago and it was terrifying with all the n0oise, i could hear it through the headphones :P
Anyways the results have come normal on both my knees, but they still hurt me and now i dont know what to do. I have been limited to walking rather then running etc because of the pain.. BUt was is it normal ? does the MRI also show nerves?
Going for mri on knee in morning...just hope it shows nothing wrong. Injuried it standing up. its hurt a month now. Wondering what insurance is going to stick me with paying. Any ideas?
For the last two months I've had pain around my left knee and thigh. Am finding it really painful to walk but I'm fine if I'm sitting and not too bad if I'm standing still. Has anyone experienced this at all? I'm off to the specialist in Jan. He will no doubt send me for a MRI. Hopefully that will give us some idea as to what's wrong.
Just got my 2nd MRI this morning. My first MRI was 6 months ago, tore my patella tendon and acl in my right knee, doctor ordered a MRI right away to confirm if his diagnosis was correct, which it was.
Even though it was extremely painful for me to bend my knee, the MRI did not cause me any pain. It is loud and there is a bit of a vibration but it's actually kind of relaxing, reminds of riding in a helicopter, if the noises didn't change every couple of minutes I could probably fall asleep.
The MRI I had this morning was a lot louder, had to wear headsets on top of earplugs this time, but it wasn't too bad. The doctor wants to see how my meniscus and acl are doing now.
After I got my first MRI, I got a bill from the hospital for it saying it costed about $225 canadian, but my health insurance through work covered it. I'm not sure what the doctor was able to see from the MRI but it seemed to me that they were able to figure out what was wrong with my knee without it and ordered the MRI just in case.
The mri was not bad at all. You just put your knee in and it scans you for like 20 minutes.You dont feel anything and it goes by quick. They usually let you listen to the radio in head phones well thats what i did. JUst make sure you don't have any jewerly or metal of any kind, so you dont have to do it again. So dont be scared!!!!!:)
I had the right knee done today. It was an open MRI with soft music playing. I was made very comfortable with pillows and had my knee in a clamp. My biggest concern was that I would fall asleep and start snoring. I did.
Thank you for this site! I had my 1st mri today 02/10/2010. last nite i googled mri scan knee and low and behold found this site... read every comment. helped make my first experience a lot easier, and yes i did count the time each scan took , as i could see the timer above me... sound was not bad, did wear socks, (thank you) I even told the teck that I had found this site and it was wonderful others had shared their experience with others. Thank you again for all who shared made it easier for me.... thanks!
Hi all. I had my knee scan on 15th Feb 2010. I have had a previous scan on a shoulder injury so I knew the score. For all those of you that are researching prior to your first scan let me reassure you there is nothing to worry about. You feel nothing at all. The hardest part is keeping still. The more you think about keeping still the more you feel that your leg will twitch or move. So don’t think about it and you’ll be fine. Try to think about your next holiday destination or something similar, but you will probably end up counting ceiling tiles like everyone else - Lol.
I’ll explain the process so you know what to expect. Firstly when you go for your scan you will be asked to remove all metal objects from your person. This will usually include all metal zips, buckles, coins, Jewellery, etc. So help yourself and go prepared. Wear lightweight sports clothing (if you have it) containing no metal then you won’t need to wear one of those stupid gowns. You will be asked to lie on a retractable bed with the part of you that needs the scan in a set place. If you are asked if you would like ear defenders or music headphone I’d suggest accepting them. The noise of the vibrating scanner is somewhere between a Vacuum cleaner and a pneumatic road drill. So don’t jump when it all starts up! Also the operator can speak to you and make sure you are comfortable. Although my knee scan took approximately 20 minutes this was made up of multiples of 3 minute scans. Between each scan the operator came on for a chat to make sure all is well. After the scan I was given a CD containing the scanned images to give to my consultant, which I also copied to my laptop. It came with a runtime version of the viewing software. So I was able to have a nose at the scans. Hope your scans prove conclusive and a speedy recovery to you all.
Hi all,
can any body help me in my problem case.My right knee was broken 5 months ago and i had plaster (bnadage ) for 2 months,now leg bending is almost 90% complete but full extension is still the problem with me.it hasn't stretched so far and i feel pain and eruption over and around my knee which is so irritating to me.bcoz of this my skin under knee is bcoming stiff too.i feel misalignment in my knee when i walk but doc say according to X-ray,evry thing is ok.when i use any jel or apply massage of olive oil,i feel comfortable for only short period of time. i am planing to have MRI during the coming weeks
I had an MRI on my knee. I was warned about the noises and given ear plugs so they didn't bother me. In fact, I did relaxation exercies which helped me stay still and relax througout the whole procedure. Sadly, the results showed not only a level 2 tear of the ACL, but also torn meniscal tissue. Rough road ahead.
I am terrified i am severely closterphobic and have trouble laying still could i just put my knee in, or do you think a cat scan could do the trick ive had a cat scan before thanks
Hi Penny,
A CT scan would not adequately evaluate your ligaments and menisci. Usually you are in the machine about up to your hip level for a knee MRI.
The 2 MRI I had, they only put me in up to my stomach. I just stared at a point in the ceiling and tried to focus on that and my breathing to keep my body as still as possible. I think they can give you something to help you relax if you let them know that you're nervous about small spaces, good luck Penny.
Hi Penny. It's very hard for someone that's not blighted with claustrophobia to appreciate what you are going through. If you would feel comfortable laying in the entrance to a tent with your upper body and head outside then you will be fine. Your knee is positioned over a support at a shallow angle and your lower leg is lightly weighted (about a Kilo) to resist small movements. I can assure you that you feel no sensation of the scan other than the noise. It's one of those times where you must push yourself to do this for sake of a speedy resolution. You aren't the first to feel you can't do this and I would assume it's quite common. Maybe the hospital runs a desensitising program where you can visit and familiarise yourself with the procedure. Make contact with the scan department and see if they can help? Good luck, hope all goes well with the knee.
3/23/10 Had MRI today on right knee
and felt nothing - loud noise but earphones helped a lot. If you need one (1), please don't be afraid as it will help your Doctor diagnose your knee problem. Go for it!!!!!!!!!
Hi All
I would do the MRI insted of the CT. I just did one last week at this place in Santa Clarita, its little north of the Valley
their cash price is great and very nice friendly staff there. you should check them out their website is
www.tiopenmri.org
I just had an MRI on my left knee this morning. The Tech was super nice, relaxing made sure i was comfortable - there was a pillow underneath my knee as (like another person says) it gets sore if its extended, and i was given ear plugs and a blanket as it blows cold air. However, it was a very weird feeling - it vibrated so much my leg started to twitch, which wasn't good. The ear plugs didn't drown out the sound very much and i was left with a banging headache. I was worried about being enclosd so as soon as i went in, i closed my eyes and didn't open them again until it was all over. Didn't hink it was bad, just a weird feeling and definately not painful.
do you feel anything during an MRI, what about having tattoos, i have 3 (lower back, foot, and shoulder) i need MRI on right knee, does tattoos affect it
Jenn,
Tattoos shouldn't affect it. The only thing that would affect it is metal. I had some metal in my right knee and shin bone from a previous surgery, I didn't feel anything when they rescanned my knee with the MRI. I was told that the metal may cause some distortion around it.
If you have a pacemaker or metal in your eye than that's a different story.
I'm pretty sure you'll have to remove any piercings too. Hope that helps.
I just had an mRI for my knee, and although it was loud, I actually fell asleep more than once! They give you earplugs and earphones, and it doesn't hurt at all.
Just had a laying down x ray, came back normal. Then hada standing up knee xray came back abnormal ( deviated patella) Now I had a laying down mri and its showing up normal... very frustrated. I that laying down does not show my injury only standing up? Anyone had this problem or any advice
Frances,
I'm not surprised to hear that. A standing x-ray places a completely different set of forces on your knee. Have you talked to an orthopedic surgeon or a sports medicine doctor?
Yes I have gone to an orthopedic he is the one who referred me to the mri. I am going to back into his office to discuss the results of the "normal mri" I am scared that he is going to say that it came back normal because it really is normal.... bla bla... IM JUST REALLY TIRED AND want to get better. I do think thought that the laying down mri showing normal might mean that there is not too much damage since it didnt pick anything up but I guess I have to wait and see...
I had an MRI scan last week and I'm looking at the DVD that they gave me, i see barley any difference but I'm still
very swollen.
I am having both knees done tomorrow evening and after reading the blogs dont feel concerned at all, more worried about the cost. I have both knees worrying me, cant squat without severe pain,and sometimes have trouble with walking without a struggle, so hope the MRI shows my problem.
I've had a couple of MRI's over the years -- shoulder and also lumbar and sacrum -- and there's nothing to be scared of are you kidding me? What a bunch of fradie cats! I love MRI's just for all the attention of going to the doctor and flirting with the nurses. I need one of my knee. I will probably be doing that pretty soon. The noise is probably the most objectionable part. These machines gotta make noise -- sort of a pulsating sound -- that's how they work. You should use both ear plugs and the earphone type hearing protectors. Maybe you can find some ear plugs in the drug store before you go in in case they only have the ear phone type.
I am very very claustrophobic. I had an MRI done on my right knee about a month ago, in an open MRI.
My knee was held in place, connected to the table, so I was unable to get up, but my head was outside of the machine. The nurse gave me a handheld device that I could use to immediately contact her and she assured me that I would be taken out of the machine if I needed to get out.
Just knowing you CAN get out, helps.
It was 30 min. of lying perfectly still and very uncomfortable. You want to arrange your body to be comfortable but that blows the test.
SO, I pulled on my inner strength (and we all have it)and watched the clock above me and counted the clicks or whatever the noise being made is. I kept thinking I do NOT want to have gone this far for nothing, not to mention the co-pay.
There are a whole lot of things worse than lying still for 30 minutes. Deep breathe, think about nice things, go someplace else in your head, count down the seconds and then minutes.
It passes. You get the results.
Do NOT try to read them and analyze them as one poster did. I used to go home after every mammogram and google images and think I had seen something horrible on the film.
It'll be fine.
In the end, I was told to take advil and use a brace.
:)
Just had an MRI of the right Knee....It was fine I didn't use the headphones or earplugs, the noise are not that bad. I actually fell asleep for a bit, I think the worst part is trying to not move your Knee at all.
Hi....really helpful reading all posts. Am in new Zealand. Suffer fron sero-negative ra and am needing an MRi. Oh joy first one they gave had me fully incased and it was there i deiscovered i had Claustrophobia - ok many sedatives later i become like a some temper tantrum child on a psychotic break. So next time round they try hypnoval - the forget it happened drug....ok i forgot it but apparently Claustrophobia laughs in the face of that drug.
So here i sit in hospital for my usual ra treatmentsd and like some never ending dream they decide i need a MRI. I of course bravely scream NO but they say i only have to stick my leg in up to the knee....so here goes.....will pop back and update...wish me luck.
what is the actual cost of knee mri
Charanjeet,
MRI prices vary by location. You can look up MRI prices on the main website:
www.remakehealth.com