Foot & Ankle MRI FAQs
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Your doctor may refer you for an MRI of the ankle or foot to evaluate symptoms following an inversion injury or ankle injury. MRI scans of this region can identify suspected stress fractures, assess tendon or ligament injuries, or investigate persistent foot or ankle pain that has not been explained by other imaging. MRI provides detailed images of soft tissue structures and bones, and is commonly used when X-ray or CT scans have not provided enough diagnostic information.
MRI of the foot and ankle can assess:
- Ligament injuries involving the ankle, midfoot or forefoot.
- Tendon injuries, assessment of tendinosis and tenosynovitis.
- Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, plantar fascia injury, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and bone and soft tissue impingement syndromes.
- Bony abnormalities, including subtle fractures/bone contusions and avascular necrosis.
- Evaluation of joint effusions, cartilage injuries or degenerative change.
Foot and ankle MRI scans are also used to assist clinicians in planning treatment and evaluating recovery after surgical repair.
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Ankle and foot MRI scans require no preparation. Please bring any previous scans or X-rays related to your foot or ankle with you to your appointment. If you have had those scans performed at Queensland X-Ray, we will already have access to your images.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures or metallic items before the MRI scan. Wearing clothing that is easy to remove is recommended.
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When you arrive at one of Queensland X-Ray’s MRI practices, our reception team will go through some questions with you to confirm your booking details.
So our team can perform your scan safely and effectively, you are required to complete a patient safety questionnaire and change into a gown which we will provide. You will be asked to remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures and any other loose items. Your belongings will be safely stored for you during your examination.
To perform your scan, you will lie on the MRI table, and the bed will move so that the foot or ankle is positioned in the centre of the scanner. Depending on the reason for your scan, you may be asked to keep the foot still in a neutral or slight plantar flexion position.
Devices called coils are used to help create the images. The radiographer will take a series of images, to assess bone, cartilage, joint fluid and soft tissue structures.
Throughout the procedure, you will be required to keep still.
The MRI machine makes a very loud knocking and humming sound when the images are being taken. Both hearing protection and an emergency buzzer are provided for the duration of the scan. You will be offered headphones through which the MRI radiographer can talk to you and play a selection of music to help reduce the noise and pass the time more quickly. The knocking will intermittently stop while the computer processes the images for a few seconds at a time before starting again. No-one else will be in the room during your scan, but you can press the buzzer should you need to communicate with the MRI radiographer or stop the exam at any time.
Some foot and ankle MRI scans will require us to insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm. We use this to administer contrast dye that can help to enhance the images we take. When the contrast is injected, you may get a metallic taste in your mouth and this is completely normal. It is important to tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to MRI contrast before.
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For an ankle or foot MRI, your body does not go entirely into the scanner. Only your feet and lower legs will be positioned in the machine, with your head and upper body remaining outside. This can help to reduce feelings of claustrophobia.
If you need a foot or ankle MRI and are concerned about claustrophobia, your doctor can prescribe sedation to help you complete the scan. In some situations, twilight sedation can be arranged at one of our hospital practices. Please mention this at the time of booking so arrangements can be made.
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Safety is paramount with MRI scanning, so at the time of booking your MRI and when you arrive at the MRI clinic for your appointment, you will be asked certain safety questions.
An MRI scanner is essentially a large magnet and certain metal objects like implants are not MRI safe or are MRI conditional. Please let your referring doctor and Queensland X-Ray staff know if you have any of the following:
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Defibrillator
- Cochlear implant
- Neurostimulator
- Aneurysm clips
- Active implanted biomedical devices
- Infusion pump
- Continuous Glucose Monitor
- Any implants or devices in your head or body
Please let us know at the time of booking if you are pregnant.
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Most MRI scans of the foot and ankle take approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes to complete.
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To make an MRI booking online with Queensland X-Ray, access our portal here.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.