Your MRI Scan Experience

“We want to ensure that you receive the highest level of healthcare. This means keeping you educated and informed about what is involved in the different stages of your diagnostic procedure. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your doctor or medical technician.”

What is an MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor several different medical conditions. We want to ensure that you receive the highest level of healthcare. This means keeping you educated and informed about what is involved in the different stages of your diagnostic procedure. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your doctor or medical technician.

Why is an MRI Needed?

You may require an MRI Scan if your doctor needs a clearer picture of your brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons than regular X-rays and CT scans can provide. There are different MRIs to help evaluate and diagnose various medical conditions.

Types of MRIs

• Brain and Spinal Cord MRIs
• Cardiac MRIs
• Body MRIs
• MRIs of Bones and Joints
• Breast MRI

Contrast MRIs

You may be advised that your MRI needs contrast. This contrast helps the medical team see tumours, inflammation, infection, and blood supply to certain organs and blood vessels. There are different types of contrast, namely oral, IV, and rectal. Your medical team will advise which you will be receiving.

If you are advised that your MRI will need contrast, a creatinine blood test is required within 30 days before the MRI examination for:

• Patients who are diabetic (insulin and non-insulin-dependent types), and
• Patients who are 70 years or older,

• Patients who have a history of kidney insufficiency/kidney masses/single kidney.

health-city-image

During an MRI with contrast, you might experience the following sensations:

• Warmth throughout your body
• A warm feeling between your legs, similar to urination
• A metallic or salty taste in your mouth
• A brief headache
• Itching

What are the Risks of an MRI Scan?

The risk from an MRI Scan is very low, as the magnetic field is not harmful to you. If you need an MRI with contrast dye, in rare cases there is a small risk of an allergic reaction to the dye. Make sure you discuss any allergies with your medical team.

Who will be involved in the MRI Scan?

Your MRI Scan will include a few team members.

• Radiology Technologist who will assist you onto the MRI couch, position you correctly, and start the scan, as well as monitor your safety throughout the procedure;
• Radiologist, the Medical Doctor who will report on the MRI scan; and a
• Nurse who will assist the team at any point and insert an IV cannula and contrast if needed.

This is what you can expect when you come to Health City for an MRI Scan.

Step 1 When you arrive at Health City, you will check in at Reception.
Step 2 A member of the Health City team will escort you to the diagnostic wing.
Step 3 The Radiology Technologist will ask you to read and sign a consent document for the MRI Scan. You will need to sign a second form if you require contrast. At this time, you will be asked to drink a certain amount of oral contrast (if necessary).
Step 4 You will be instructed to change into a patient gown and remove any items that may contain metal. The radiology team member will then accompany you to the MRI scanner room. The nurse will insert an IV cannula (if necessary).• All jewellery including watches• Eyeglasses• Hairpins/Barrettes containing metal• Dentures• Hearing aids• Underwire brasThe radiology team member will then accompany you tothe MRI scanner room. The nurse will insert an IV cannula(if necessary).
Step 5 An MRI scanner is a large tube with holes on either end. You will be placed on a moveable table that slides into the tube while a radiology team member monitors you from another room. The MRI machine makes a lot of noise while the procedure is taking place. Many patients opt to bring earplugs and listen to music or books on tape during the process. Please ask the Radiology Technologist if this is permitted. MRI scans vary in time, but some can be quite lengthy, taking several hours depending on the area needed for imaging
Step 6 Once the imaging has been completed, the radiology team member will assist you off the couch.
Step 7 You may get changed back into your clothes.
Step 8 You may exit the department/hospital. Your MRI report will be sent to the ordering physician within 48 hours. Please ensure you have your follow-up appointment booked after.

Timeline Post-Surgery Recovery

Plan/Activities

Immediate Post-Surgery Days 1-3

You'll likely experience pain and discomfort immediately after the surgery, which can be managed with pain medications prescribed by your doctor. Your shoulder will be immobilised with a sling to protect the repair and promote healing. You may begin gentle exercises as instructed by your surgeon or physiotherapist to prevent stiffness and improve circulation.

Week 1-2

You'll continue to wear the sling most of the time, only removing it for gentle exercises and hygiene. Physiotherapy may begin, focusing on passive range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain flexibility. You'll likely need assistance with daily activities like dressing and bathing, as you'll have limited mobility in your shoulder.

Step 1 When you arrive at Health City, you will check in at Reception.

Step 2 A member of the Health City team will escort you to the diagnostic wing.

Step 3 The Radiology Technologist will ask you to read and sign a consent document for the MRI Scan. You will need to sign a second form if you require contrast. At this time, you will be asked to drink a certain amount of oral contrast (if necessary).

Step 4 You will be instructed to change into a patient gown and remove any items that may contain metal.
The radiology team member will then accompany you to the MRI scanner room. The nurse will insert an IV cannula (if necessary).
• All jewellery including watches
• Eyeglasses
• Hairpins/Barrettes containing metal
• Dentures
• Hearing aids
• Underwire bras

Step 5 An MRI scanner is a large tube with holes on either end. You will be placed on a moveable table
that slides into the tube while a radiology team member monitors you from another room. The MRI
machine makes a lot of noise while the procedure is taking place. Many patients opt to bring earplugs and
listen to music or books on tape during the process. Please ask the Radiology Technologist if this is
permitted. MRI scans vary in time, but some can be quite lengthy, taking several hours depending on the
area needed for imaging.

Step 6 Once the imaging has been completed, the radiology team member will assist you off the couch.

Step 7 You may get changed back into your clothes.

Step 8 You may exit the department/hospital. Your MRI report will be sent to the ordering physician within 48 hours. Please ensure you have your follow-up appointment booked after.

Weeks 3-6

Gradually, you'll begin active range-of-motion exercises, still under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Strengthening exercises may be introduced, but they'll be low-impact and focused on rebuilding the muscles around your shoulder without putting too much strain on the repair site. Depending on your progress, you may be able to start weaning off the sling during this time, but it will still be needed in certain situations to protect your shoulder.

Weeks 7-12

Your range of motion and strength should continue to improve. You'll likely be able to return to more normal activities of daily living, but you should still avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Physiotherapy will continue, gradually increasing in intensity as your shoulder heals.

Months 6-12

You should be able to gradually return to full activity, including sports or physically demanding work, although you may still need to be cautious and avoid overexertion.

Frequently Asked Questions

It's essential to continue to follow up with your orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist after surgery to monitor your progress and address any ongoing issues. While many people achieve excellent long-term outcomes after Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery, some may experience recurrent tears or other complications that require further treatment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and proper shoulder mechanics, can also help prevent future problems.

Like any surgical procedure, Arthroscopic Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery carries certain risks, including infection, bleeding, nerve injury, and stiffness. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before the surgery and take steps to minimise them during the procedure.There is also the possibility that the repaired rotator cuff can re-tear. This risk varies depending on a number of different factors.

In some cases, even with a rotator cuff that is torn, patients may not have much pain or weakness. Physical therapy may be all that is required to allow the shoulder to function well. Surgery is not always necessary. However, most full-thickness rotator cuff tears typically do not heal without surgery. Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair can allow the rotator cuff tendons to heal back to the bone, and therefore improve strength and function of the shoulder and prevent arthritis. Full thickness tears left untreated will cause rotator cuff arthropathy, which will need a reverse shoulder replacement. This can be prevented with rotator cuff repair. • Performing the procedure arthroscopically (compared to open) has been shown to result in similar rates of healing of the repair and has been shown to cause less post-operative pain and stiffness in many cases.

Your MRI Scan Experience

Download PDF

Download PDF