What to Expect During an MRI after an Accident

May 23, 2020

What to Expect During an MRI after an Accident If you’ve been in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor, even if you are only experiencing mild symptoms of pain and discomfort. Whiplash, one of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident, can often have delayed symptoms so you may not realize you have sustained a serious injury for hours, days, or even a week.

That’s why seeking medical treatment as soon as possible can help. An experienced doctor will use a diagnostic imaging test called an MRI to take pictures of the soft tissues inside your body to identify any muscle sprains, tears, or other injuries, in order to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what you can expect from an MRI after an accident.

Prepping for an MRI

There are a few things to know before you undergo an MRI. First of all, MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and uses strong magnets and radio frequencies to take detailed photos of the inside of your body. Because of these strong magnets, it is important to not wear any metal for the test, such as a watch, glasses, hearing aids, or other medical devices. Speak with your doctor if you have a medical implant, as it may impact your ability to be in the MRI machine.

It is important to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns or anxieties, in which case your doctor may prescribe a medication to take prior to the test to help you relax. Additionally, a doctor may want to see an MRI with contrast, meaning you either imbibe or receive an injection of a dye that will provide contrast to certain areas to enhance the images. All of this will be communicated to you prior to your scheduled MRI so you know what to expect.

Beginning the Scan

A medical technician will introduce you to the testing center and explain what the experience will be like. You will lie down on your back and need to be completely still for the duration of the MRI test.

Once you are lying down, the table will slowly and safely pass into a circular tunnel with openings on both ends, which is the MRI machine itself. The technician will then go to an adjacent room and speak to you through a two-way intercom into the room as they watch the scans as they are taken.

You can expect to hear what many patients describe as a loud banging or tapping sound, which is the movement of the magnet inside the tube.

During the Scan

A typical MRI test can last fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the scale and variety of images needed. You must remain still during the entirety of the test so the images are not blurry, otherwise, you may need to re-do the exam again.

While the scan is going on, the technician will explain to you what is going on at each step to help provide you with information and comfort throughout the process. Many steps are taken to help address your comfort during the scan, including: a well-lit space to reduce the experience of being enclosed, pillows to help address any discomfort you may have lying on your back, and fans to circulate the air in the room. You can expect to be provided with earplugs or headphones to wear during the test in order to lessen the sounds coming from the machine.

After the MRI

When the diagnostic imaging test is complete, the technician will return to the room and you will be able to move again. Depending on the duration of the exam, you may want to rise slowly and take your time getting up.

The technician will then escort you to a room where you can change, and you will be able to leave. The images on the MRI scans will be submitted to your doctor, who will schedule a follow-up appointment to review the results with you in great detail.

At AICA Orthopedics, our highly trained and skilled medical professionals communicate with you throughout the entire process so you can feel informed and at ease. Our doctors only utilize diagnostic imaging tests when necessary and will always inform you of the process, the results, and how this impacts your treatment plan. Give us a call today!

SHARE:

Search

Contact Us

  • * Al enviar el formulario, das tu consentimiento para que AICA Ortopedia se ponga en contacto contigo a través de mensajes de texto, llamadas telefónicas y correo electrónico en la información de contacto proporcionada.

  • Este campo es un campo de validación y debe quedar sin cambios.

Categories

Visite una de nuestras 17 ubicaciones en Metro Atlanta

Winder

Calle Lee, 16 Winder, GA 30680

McDonough

259 Jonesboro Rd McDonough, GA 30253

Lawrenceville

217 Scenic Hwy S, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Montaña de Piedra

1000 Main Street, Ste C Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Macon

626 1st St Macon, GA 31201

Newnan

2700 Autopista 34 Este Newnan, GA 30265

Duluth

3775 Venture Drive, Edificio F Duluth, GA 30096

Chamblee Tucker

3166 Chestnut Drive Connector, Suite 100, 200 Atlanta, GA 30340

College Park

Avenida Virginia 1624 College Park, GA 30337

Conyers

2375 Wall Street Southeast #135 Conyers, GA 30013

Jonesboro

Carretera Mount Zion 750 Jonesboro, GA 30236

Kennesaw

3825 Cherokee Street Northwest Kennesaw, GA 30144

Lithia Springs

530 Thornton Road Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Marietta

1965 North Park Place Southeast, Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30339

Snellville

2346 Wisteria Drive, Suite 110 Snellville, GA 30078

Stockbridge

260 Corporate Center Drive, Suite E Stockbridge, GA 30281

Buckhead

2045 Peachtree Road Northwest, Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30309