Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

What You Need To Know About MRI

Learn how MRI helps us see inside your foot and ankle to guide focused treatment.

Foot and Ankle MRI Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the fastest and safest non-invasive method to get the clearest pictures of your foot and ankle condition. Since their invention in the late 1970’s, MRI has grown to become an indispensable part of practice for podiatric and orthopedic physicians.

MRI allows us the ability to see inside the body and visualize a structure, determine the extent of injury, and provide focused treatment. MRI’s do this all without using X-rays. Instead, they use a magnetic field that absorbs or deflects the electric charge given off by the cells themselves and create a picture from that deflected charge.

MRI is commonly used to evaluate soft tissue injuries, tendon and ligament damage, stress fractures, joint problems, and other conditions of the foot and ankle that may not be fully visible on standard X-rays. The clear, detailed images help your doctor pinpoint the source of pain and plan the most appropriate course of care.

While MRI has universal applications, not everyone qualifies for its use. Those with brain aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eye, recent surgery with orthopedic implants, pacemakers, or cochlear implants should not use MRI. Our technologists are trained to determine if MRI will be allowable for use before your scan begins.

If you are experiencing persistent foot or ankle pain, our team can evaluate whether MRI is the right next step and guide you through the process from start to finish.

Our MRI Services and Process

University Foot and Ankle Institute has had MRI machines on location in several of our facilities for many years. Having imaging available in-house means you can be evaluated, scanned, and receive results without traveling to a separate imaging center.

Our MRI machines are open, so you do not have to lie in a tube. You comfortably sit in an attached chair and simply place your leg in the machine while the MRI takes its pictures. This open design is especially helpful for patients who feel anxious in enclosed spaces.

We use industry-leading Extremity OPEN MRI machines to offer advanced imaging technology to our patients. Aside from being open, our machines are much quieter than traditional MRI’s, making the experience more comfortable from start to finish.

The MRI process typically takes around one hour. All of our MRI studies are read by a board-certified musculoskeletal MRI radiologist who provides a report within 24 hours. An appointment will then be scheduled with your doctor to review the MRI images and discuss a treatment plan based on the findings.

With fast turnaround times, comfortable equipment, and coordinated review by your doctor, you can expect a clear path from imaging to answers to next steps in your care.