MRI
MRI Joint / Extremities

Due to MRI's ability to define dissimilar types of tissue, cartilage, and bone, MRI is the preferred modality for imaging joints such as shoulders, knees, hands / wrists, feet and ankles. MRI's clarity in studies of traumatic injury (i.e. rotator cuff, meniscus tears, ligament tears, carpal tunnel syndrome), suspected tumor, cyst and arthritic processes contribute to a more accurate diagnosis.

Reinjury of the rotator cuff or knee following previous surgical repair is best evaluated with MR arthrography, which involves intraarticular gadolinium injection into the joint, itself, to better visualize the tendons and cartilage that make the joint. These injections are administered by the radiologist using fluoroscopic x-ray as a visual guidance tool. MRI exam of the joint follows injection.

IV contrast agent (gadolinium) injections and the use of a joint/extremity coils may be necessary to enhance visualization of joint / extremity images.