St. Michael’s Elite Hospital is equipped with an O-Scan MRI. It is the ideal solution for extremities MRI, offering a complete range of high quality imaging capabilities for extremities while providing an optimal patient experience.
Extremity MRI Q&A
What is extremity MRI?
Extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging test for the extremities. The innovative imaging tool scans the hands, arms, knees, feet, and legs.
Unlike the traditional MRI, you’ll only place your extremity into the machine.
What conditions benefit from an extremity MRI?
Your physician may recommend an extremity MRI to diagnose or rule out conditions that affect your hands, arms, feet, or legs.
An extremity MRI may help diagnose health conditions such as:
- Extremity fractures
- Degenerative joint disease
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Tumors
The extremity MRI may also help diagnose issues related to your muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
What can I expect during an extremity MRI?
The certified radiology technician reviews the details of your extremity MRI with you before starting the test.
During your MRI, you sit comfortably in the exam chair and put your arm or leg in the MRI tube. Your head and body remain outside the tube so there’s no feeling of claustrophobia. You need to remain still during the imaging test.
Unlike a traditional MRI, the OSCAN has a low acoustic noise level. You may hear a clicking sound as the scanner generates the images, but no discomfort. Most extremity MRIs take about 40-50 minutes.
What happens after an extremity MRI?
MRI reports take 1-3 business days to get a report back. The ordering physician will review the MRI findings with you and provide appropriate care. The extremity MRI allows the team to get you a diagnosis without having to send you to another facility. Outpatient imaging is available, please call to schedule. Walk-ins are available during ED visit if an emergent need is identified.
