Hip MRI

As we get older, one of the first joints that we feel the early signs of discomfort with are the hip joints. Whether we walk, run, or even the way we sit on the couch and stand up, our hips get the brunt of our body weight. If any person above 30 years of age would take a full body scan right now, most of the "damaging" details can be found on the hip area and the rest of the midsection.

Speaking of body scan, most patients with hip problems undergo a full body scan using CT (Computed Tomography) Scan to detect what is causing the pain and injury to their hips, in hoping to find a remedy on how to fix the problem. However, most patients would opt to undergo an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), since partial body scan like such are more affordable and safer, due to CT Scan emitting radiation during the entire process.

Hip MRI are used to assess the internal structure of the hips and hip joints. Doctors initially recommend an X-ray for preliminary diagnosis on hip joint problems. If the report is inconclusive, the physician then needs a further evaluation by ordering the patient to undergo an MRI on the hip, to detect other probable malignancies like tumors, bleeding or swelling.

Hip MRI evaluates your bones, including the upper femur and the pelvic bone nearby; hip cartilage for any fraying, fissures, nerve damages and defects; hip ligaments and tendons for possible undetected injuries; and soft muscle tissues that may have incurred tears, tumors, strains and infections.

During the MRI process, the patient is asked to lie supine on a table, and suggested to stay still for 30 to 60 minutes, as the table is gradually slid into the magnetic tunnel for scanning. Make sure to remove all jewelries, and inform your doctor for any metallic placement in your body, pacemakers, and if pregnant. The entire MRI procedure is painless and easy, although claustrophobic patients may need a medication to sedate and calm them down during the whole "ordeal".

Completion of a hip MRI may lead to either a reconstructive surgery or as a therapeutic treatment to heal the pain. The MRI can also be used for preventive measures to detect early signs of benign tumors or swellings. Doctors may inform the patients of the results after one business day, due to complexed analysis done by the physicians, together with hundreds of calculations captured from the detailed images or slices of the MRI.

After receiving the news, these patients can now be given the next step on how to remedy their ongoing predicament.