Preparing

You may have to be in the MRI for up to 45 minutes so you will want to go to the bathroom prior to the scan. Special dyes may be required, in which case you will not want to eat or drink anything for 4 to 8 hours prior to the scan. Dye (Gadolinium) is sometimes injected into the joint or a vein to improve the image accuracy. Gadolinium improves the contrast making it easier to see smaller structures in your knee increasing the exam accuracy.

No metal is allowed in the MRI during a scan so you should leave all jewelry and other metal objects at home. The MRI machine produces a strong magnetic field that pulls on metallic objects and can displace them. People with pacemakers and brain aneurysm clips should not even enter the room during an MRI exam. If you have certain types of artificial heart valves or ear implants you also should not have an MRI. Most dental fillings are not affected by the magnetic field of an MRI.

As with an X-ray, tell your physician and technician if you are pregnant. Some people are not comfortable in small confined spaces. If this is the case with you, tell your physician and you may get some medication to help you relax.