How long does an MRI scan of the knee take?

Question

I posted a question on here a while back about knee problems..

I went to the hospital today they told me i need to have an mri scan of my knee to see if i have broken cartilage.

I really really hate tight and enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) do they make you go head first? or can you actual just go legs in?

also how long does this actually take to do??

i'm only 16..

Answer 1

it only takes a few minutes to get the MRI, and yes, they will do it legs first since it is your knee they are looking at.

Answer 2

A MRI of the knee will take anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on the machine used and how many imaging sequences are done.  You will need to call the imaging facility, where you are having your MRI.  They will tell you how long it takes to do this scan at their facility.  This is really the only way you will get an accurate answer regarding the scan length.

You will enter the bore of the magnet feet first for a knee study.  Usually your head is out of the machine, sometimes it is just inside, but not very far inside.

If you are really worried about claustrophobia, consider going to a facility which uses an open MRI.  You can see how a patient is positioned for a knee MRI on an open unit here:

http://borgimaging.com/exams/openSpeed.p...

Answer 3

I just had a head MRI.  I too, am claustrophobic and was really scared so made certain I went to an "Open" or "Open-sided" MRI.

  What a nice experience - no tubes or closed in spaces - it was very open - a roof kind of thing over my head and open on all sides and enough room that I didn't feel closed in at all.

  

I brought in my own CD and they played it for me during the test - there IS some banging and knocking noises but not as loud as with the tube type MRI and I could hear my CD just fine.

  Usually you can have someone in there to hold your hand as well!  I sure did!

  However, when my daughter (15 yo) had a knee MRI in a regular tube type MRI (we didn't know about the open ones then) she went in legs first and her head WAS out of the MRI - but it was a short bore MRI - I would do the OPEN for that too now if I had it to do over but she was fine - they gave her music headphones for the noise and I sat next to her and held her hand.  She was under the machine for about 30 minutes, but there were a few small breaks where she could move a tiny bit -

  If you are very anxious, your Doctor will probably give you a mild sedative to help if you ask, but the test itself is completely noninvasive and painless!

  Best of luck - as tests go this is an easy one!!!