Services Pages
MRI Arthrogram

MRI Arthrogram

With an MRI arthrogram, you get a highly detailed view of your joint, helping to identify injuries and conditions that standard scans may miss. We deliver precise imaging, clear guidance, and confidence throughout your assessment.

Trustpilot
MRI Arthrogram

What is an MRI Arthrogram?

An MRI arthrogram is a type of MRI scan of a joint such as the hips or shoulder. Having a private MRI arthrogram can help to quickly find the cause of your discomfort so that you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Why You Might Need an MRI Arthrogram

If you have pain, swelling, inflammation, stiffness or immobility in one or more of your joints, you can benefit from having a private MRI scan with an arthrogram using a self-referral form. Your doctor can then make an accurate diagnosis and determine the cause of your discomfort, allowing you to start treatment as soon as possible

Where can an arthrogram be used?

In short, anywhere you have a joint. Arthrograms are commonly used to get detailed images of joint cartilage, ligaments and tendons in the following joints:

  • shoulders

  • wrists 

  • hips 

  • elbows 

  • knees 

  • ankles 

However, arthrograms can also be used to look at small joints in the fingers and toes, the joint at which your jawbone connects to your skull and joints in the feet, among others.

What is an Arthrogram Used to Diagnose?

MRI arthrograms are used to diagnose injuries to the bones and soft tissues of the joints of the body that aren’t easily detectable on a standard MRI.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Meniscal Tears

The menisci are two strips of cartilage, one on either side of the knee. A meniscal tear is a common knee injury whereby one or both of the menisci are torn, caused by twisting the knee, usually while playing sports.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Hip Impingement

The hip is a type of ball-and-socket joint, where the tip of the thigh bone (the ball, called the femoral head) fits into the socket-shaped bone of the pelvis. A hip impingement occurs when the cartilage between the two bones wears away, and the bones rub against each other. This can be caused by repeatedly moving the hip, such as through sports, or by age-related wear and tear.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Shoulder Instability

The shoulder is another type of ball-and-socket joint, and instability is caused when cartilage wears away between the top (ball) of the upper arm bone and the socket of the shoulder blade. This can be caused by trauma, such as a shoulder dislocation, or by an overuse injury through using the shoulder during sports such as tennis.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Joint Loose Bodies

Joint loose bodies are small pieces of bone or cartilage that come loose, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. Causes include injury, osteoarthritis and age-related wear and tear.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Tendon Injuries

Tendons are thick, strong pieces of soft tissue that connect muscles to bones within joints. Sports injuries and natural wear and tear can cause tears, thinning, strains and inflammation that can cause pain, stiffness and immobility of the joint.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Post-Surgical Complications

Pain after surgery to a joint can be caused by improper healing, scar tissue, inflammation and loose pieces of bone and cartilage. An MRI arthrogram can be used to make an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing post-surgical pain.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Labral Tears

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of ball-and-socket joints, such as the hip and shoulder. It helps keep the ball of the joint in place and allows smooth movement in the joint. A labral tear can occur due to an injury or even wear and tear over time. You may experience pain in the joint, a sensation of the joint ‘clicking’, and your range of motion in the joint may be reduced. Labral tears are hard to see on a standard MRI scan, but the contrast dye used in an MRI arthrogram can help to show them much more clearly.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, which keep the upper arm bone firmly in the shoulder socket. Injuries can range from tendinitis to partial or complete tears in the tendons or muscles. You may experience shoulder pain, weakness in the joint, and difficulty with some arm movements. MRI arthrograms can show the detailed structure of the tendons, while the contrast dye can highlight small tears or areas where the tissues have degraded.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Cartilage Damage

Cartilage is the smooth, rubbery tissue that covers the ends of the bones in your joints, allowing smooth movement. You can damage the cartilage through injury, wear and tear, or conditions like osteoarthritis. You may experience pain and stiffness in the joint and notice swelling. MRI arthrograms are valuable for assessing cartilage damage because the contrast dye can outline the cartilage surface, allowing doctors to see small defects or areas of thinning cartilage.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Ligament Injuries

Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that connect bones and help make your joints stable. Ligament damage can vary in severity from strains and sprains to complete tears. Common ligament injuries include tears in the knee or injuries in the elbow. The contrast dye in MRI arthrograms can clearly outline the ligaments, showing any damaged areas.

Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

SLAP Tears

SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior, referring to a specific type of labral tear in the shoulder. This injury affects the area where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum. If you have a SLAP tear, you may experience deep shoulder pain, a sensation of ‘popping’, and reduced strength in the joint. With other imaging techniques, SLAP tears can be hard to diagnose, but the contrast dye used in MRI arthrograms can seep into the tear, making it more visible.

How Does an MRI Arthrogram Work?

During an MRI arthrogram, a strong magnetic field and radio waves are used to temporarily disrupt the hydrogen atoms that are present in all the tissues that make up the human body. As the hydrogen atoms scatter and realign, they create energy - each tissue creates a different type of energy. 

Computers detect these different energies and turn them into detailed images. A contrast medium, injected into the tissues surrounding the area being scanned, helps to further highlight any abnormalities, allowing your medical team to diagnose injuries and chronic conditions using the scan images produced. 

Equipment Used

MRI arthrograms take place in a specialised scanning clinic or the radiology department of a hospital, and are carried out by a medical professional called a radiographer.

They’re conducted in an MRI machine that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of the bones and soft tissues of the joints.

An MRI machine is a large, round, doughnut-shaped machine with computers and a special table attached. Patients lie on the special table, which then moves slowly into the MRI scanner while images are taken.

Benefits of an MRI Arthrogram

An MRI arthrogram is a routine, safe, painless and non-invasive way to diagnose conditions affecting the joints. Getting a quick diagnosis gives you peace of mind and allows doctors to plan treatment regimes that will help you find relief from your symptoms. 

Unlike x-rays and CT scans, MRI scans don’t require the use of ionising radiation, and therefore, don’t carry risks of radiation exposure.

 

Potential Risks

Metal objects are dangerous inside an MRI machine due to the powerful magnets used. If you have metal inside your body, such as cochlear implants, stents or valves to help manage heart disease or metal prostheses or joints, let your healthcare team know. They can decide if you’re suitable for an MRI scan or if you’re better off having a different type of scan to get an accurate diagnosis. 

For a small minority of people, the contrast medium used (also called a contrast dye) can lead to a potential risk of developing an allergy. Symptoms of an allergy to a contrast medium include feeling breathless and sweaty and noticing a metallic taste in the mouth. These potential risks are higher in patients with kidney disease. 

If you have claustrophobia or struggle in confined spaces, you may struggle in the closed environment of an MRI machine. Let your medical professional know, and they may be able to give you a mild sedative to help you stay calm. 

How to Prepare for an MRI Arthrogram Scan

An MRI arthrogram requires very little preparation, and you can eat and drink as normal before your scan, unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare team.

Inform your doctor if you’re pregnant or you think you might be, breastfeeding, or you have a known allergy to gadolinium or contrast medium.

It’s also helpful to leave metal objects such as watches, jewellery and hair clips at home. You’ll have a safe area to leave mobile phones, cash, bank cards and other metal objects for the duration of your scan.

What Happens During an MRI Arthrogram?

When you arrive for your scan, your technician will review an MRI Safety Questionnaire with you, and they might ask you to change into a hospital gown. Let the staff know if you're claustrophobic; they can help make you comfortable. 

The procedure is divided into two parts. First, in an ultrasound or x-ray room, a consultant radiologist will numb your skin and joint with a local anaesthetic, then inject an MRI contrast dye into the joint. This makes tiny structures in the joint easier to see. Next, you'll move to the MRI scanner, where you'll lie on a table that moves slowly into a large cylinder-shaped tube surrounded by a circular magnet.

The scan usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Your technician will give you earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing from the loud scanner noise and a buzzer to call for help if you need it. It's crucial to remain still during the scan to produce clear images.

After the procedure, you can change back into your clothes and go home. Your joint may be numb for a few hours, and you can take paracetamol for any pain. Moving the joint or applying an ice pack may also help. You shouldn't drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day and avoid heavy lifting for three to four days. 

Getting the Results

Within a few days, your clinic will contact you to arrange an appointment to discuss your results. If necessary, your doctor, who will have direct access to your results, will arrange further tests such as blood tests or another scan, such as a full body MRI scan, to make an accurate diagnosis.

MRI Arthrogram Costs

Don’t worry if you’re still unsure whether a private MRI scan is best for you or the difference between an MRI and an MRI arthrogram. All Scan.com bookings include two clinical consultations. One happens before the scan to ensure your clinician recommends the best scan for you in light of your symptoms. The second consultation happens after the scan, where your clinician will clearly explain the results and the next steps. When you book with Scan.com you’ll find the process easy and quick, at a price to suit your budget.

>
Trustpilot

MRI Arthrogram

Starting from
£745

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about booking a scan with us, visit our FAQ guide.

Can't see an answer to your question? Our friendly patient care team are happy to help.

More FAQs

Is an MR Arthrogram painful?

There is a small risk that you might experience temporary joint-related pain or discomfort due to the injection of the contrast dye. That’s why you’ll first need a local anaesthetic to numb the area.

One small risk to be aware of with MRI arthrograms is the special contrast dye they use, called gadolinium. This dye helps make the pictures clearer but can sometimes cause problems. 

Gadolinium is a type of metal that can be risky for some people. In rare cases, it might cause a severe skin problem, especially in people with kidney issues. This problem is called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

About 3 in every 1,000 people who get this dye might have a reaction that has symptoms similar to an allergy, such as itching or hives. Sometimes, the joint where the dye was put in might hurt for a few days after the test. That’s why your radiologist or doctor will always ask if you’ve had a reaction to a contrast dye in the past.

What is the difference between an MRI and an MRI Arthrogram?

MRI and MRI arthrogram are both ways to take pictures of the inside of your body, especially your joints. They use the same basic technology, but they have a key difference.

A standard MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. It's good at showing soft parts like muscles, ligaments, and cartilage, as well as bones. You don't need any injections for this, and it's used for many medical problems.

An arthrogram MRI goes a step further. Before taking the pictures, a doctor injects a special dye directly into your joint. This dye makes certain parts of the joint appear more clearly in the images. It's particularly good at showing things like tears in the soft tissue around your joint or other minor problems inside the joint that might not show up as well on a standard MRI.

The main advantage of an MRI arthrogram is that it can show more detail inside the joint. This makes it especially useful for finding specific joint problems that are hard to see otherwise. For example, it's good at spotting shoulder injuries or hip problems.

How long does an MRI Arthrogram take?

MR-arthrography typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. This includes the time involved in administering a local anaesthetic and injecting the contrast agent into the joint space before the scan itself.

Which joints can be scanned with an MRI Arthrogram?

Any joint in the body can be scanned during an MRI arthrogram, including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles.