Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

What You Need To Know About MRI

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

MRI for Foot and Ankle Diagnosis

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. It does this all without using X-rays. Instead, MRI uses a magnetic field that absorbs or deflects the electric charge given off by the cells themselves and creates a picture from that deflected charge.

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.

If your provider suspects a soft tissue injury, tendon or ligament damage, stress fracture, or another condition that is not clearly visible on X-ray, MRI may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Speak with your Weil Foot and Ankle provider to schedule imaging and discuss what to expect during your appointment.

The Weil Foot and Ankle MRI Experience

The Weil Foot and Ankle Institute has had MRI machines on location in several of our facilities since January 2007. Having imaging in-house means you can often complete your scan the same day you see your provider, without traveling to a separate imaging center.

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

The MRI process typically takes around one hour. There is no special preparation required for most foot and ankle scans, and you can return to normal activity immediately after the appointment.

The Weil Foot and Ankle Institute has all our MRI’s read by a board-certified musculoskeletal MRI radiologist who will provide a report within 24 hours. An appointment will then be made with your doctor to review the MRI and discuss a treatment plan based on the findings, so you can move forward with focused care.