MRI advice plz

[Borntobeamum]

I broke my ankle in November. I wore a boot for 4 weeks but they didn’t want to see me again due to Covid.
I have still a lot of pain so ended up ringing them to ask advice. They sent me to a private hospital that the nhs are using and they did an X-ray. The doctor said the bone is showing signs of healing but the pain I’m getting in the opposite side of my ankle suggests damaged tendons and/or ligaments and they are sending me for an MRI scan.
I’ve never had an mri before. The letter says no jewellery or wires but as it’s my ankle, will I be ok with a wired bra 🤦‍♀️

No. You'll change into a gown for it.

No, you can't wear a bra with metal. I've always worn a soft pull on bra for dignity and comfort.

When my daughter had a head and neck mri only her body to her shoulders was in the nachine - possibly only your ankle will be? The no jewelry thing is probably a notice given out regardless of what you are having done. But phone and ask if in doubt.

No I think they slide you into a tube so I wouldn't wear any metal at all. So joggers, t shirt sort of thing. If not, they'll ask you to undress and wear a gown. It's fine, just a bit weird. Like sunbathing on a building site, was how it was described to me. I had head and neck done though.

Watch out for jeans or any other trousers with metal on the waist band. I was unaware of this first time I had one but luckily I had leggings on so didn’t have to remove them. As for bra, I took it off and it was put in my locker with my shoes etc. Could keep my top on though.

They’ll give you instructions but it’s prob best to wear an unwired (and no clips) crop top type thing if you’re not comfortable bra-less. Even if you go in feet first (you probably will), the magnet’s still strong enough to warm your bra up if you’re there for long.

MRI is the best way of looking at soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, joints and muscles. They don’t show up well on X-ray at all.

You basically will be going into a giant magnet. It’s a tunnel; how much you go in depends on what body part we are scanning. It doesn’t hurt at all and doesn’t touch you, but you will need to keep very still, and it’s noisy. Scans vary in length but can be from 15 minutes to an hour depending on what we are looking at.

The M in MRI stands for magnetic. It's a huuuuge powerful magnet. No metal allowed in the room I'm afraid.

It's loud and boring just to warn you, may take 20 mins for your ankle but fortunately only your legs will go in the machine. Some scanners play music or give you headphones to listen to music/drown the loud humming out.

It's honestly super easy just boring. Pop on a sports bra and you'll be fine.

Good luck hope your ankle feels better soon x

First of all Thank you for the speedy replies.
I have a questionnaire to complete but one other thing - I have a metal hip. Ive visions Of being sucked to the machine!!
Obviously I will mention it!

@Borntobeamum hip replacements are usually absolutely fine. Just give the radiographers as much information about it as possible.

I had an MRI last week to look at soft tissue in my foot - the ankle on that side has metal pins and plates in, plus I wore an underwired bra. All was ok. They just put my feet in the tube, rest of me was out of it. I only had to remove my watch.

I believe hip replacements are titanium which is not magnetic. Definitely let the radiographers know with as much notice as possible.

Thank you again for your replies. My hip was replaced almost 30 years ago!! Will it have been titanium then? X

Hip replacement will be fine. Wired bra no, metal clasps no etc etc. For an ankle its a relatively quick scan.