Hip MRI: Info and Get a Scan
Hip pain is associated with getting older, but it can affect all age demographics. Most hip pain is associated with overuse, therefore it can affect anyone who performs frequent repetitive tasks. However, there are more potentially serious causes of hip pain that can become worse over time if left untreated.
An MRI can produce an accurate image of the hip joint and surrounding structures. This helps increase the potential of making a quick and accurate diagnosis. Identifying the source of your discomfort is the first step in your treatment plan.
If you are experiencing hip pain and are interested in more information, follow along as we discuss the in’s and out’s of a hip MRI.
What is a Hip MRI Scan
A hip MRI is a routine, non-invasive scan that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed, cross-sectional images of the hip. Unlike an X-ray or a CT scan, an MRI scan uses no radiation. The images let doctors examine the hip bones, the top of each thigh bone, and the nearby blood vessels and surrounding soft tissues, and diagnose conditions affecting any of them. Because MRI shows soft tissue so clearly, it is often the scan of choice when the cause of hip pain is not obvious from an X-ray.
Why You Might Need a Hip MRI Scan
Pain, stiffness and swelling in one or both of the hips can indicate a hip problem that needs to be investigated. A hip MRI can diagnose:
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Wear and tear to the hip joint resulting in arthritis and other inflammatory medical conditions
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Trochanteric bursitis, an inflammatory condition that affects the bursae, soft tissue cushioning between the bones of the hip joint, causing pain and swelling
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Soft tissue injuries caused by repetitive motions, such as when playing sports like tennis or golf, or through work
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Mechanical hip problems that affect the mobility and movement of the hip, which can result in pain, stiffness and clicking when moving the hip
A hip MRI scan can also be useful when other scans, such as hip x-rays, haven’t helped to find the cause of your hip pain.
What Does a Hip MRI Show?
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the structures that make up your hip and the surrounding tissues. These can include:
● Top of the femur
● Pelvis (though a specific pelvic scan should be booked if this is the area you need imaged)
● Coccyx
● Cartilage
● Muscles
● Ligaments
● Additional soft tissues
The MRI builds a three-dimensional picture by generating images, called slices, across three planes. The radiologist can then examine the inner portions of bones and soft tissues to identify potential abnormalities.
If you are experiencing pain in your hip, it can steadily increase or it may come and go. Hip injuries or abnormalities usually result in some form of pain. It can be felt in the pelvic area, but it can also spread to the lower back and down the leg towards the knee. A physical examination is important in identifying the cause, and an MRI adds far more insight into what is behind the pain.
These causes can include:
● Bone fractures
● Bone bruises
● Ligament and tendon tears or inflammation
● Muscle strain
● Osteoarthritis
● Hip trauma
● Bursitis
● Necrosis or infection
● Dislocation
● Tumours
● Injury to other structures surrounding the hip
MRI is particularly good at the soft-tissue problems that other scans miss. It shows damage to the labrum, the ring of cartilage around the hip socket, which can tear through injury or through hip impingement, where the ball and socket do not fit together smoothly. It also shows cartilage thinning and the early bone changes of avascular necrosis, where the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, often before these show up on an X-ray. These conditions are common causes of hip and groin pain in younger and active adults.
By showing the hip and the structures around it, an MRI helps doctors understand the source of your pain. A more accurate diagnosis means a treatment plan that fits your needs and gets you back on the road to recovery.
Can an MRI Detect Hip Bursitis?
Most hip injuries are wear-and-tear injuries. Bursitis is a condition that affects the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion two bones and reduce friction. Bursitis is the inflammation of these bursae. It causes pain in the hip and groin area that can extend down the thigh.
An MRI can detect this inflammation, which allows for an effective treatment plan to ease your discomfort. As well as overuse, trochanteric bursitis and other forms can be brought on by:
● Spine disease
● Rheumatoid arthritis
● Calcium deposits
● Previous surgery
The images an MRI produces, combined with the symptoms a patient describes, allow the radiologist to diagnose bursitis. Very superficial bursitis on the outside of the hip can sometimes be subtle on MRI, so an ultrasound is occasionally used alongside it to look at the bursa directly.
Is Contrast Needed?
Most hip MRIs are done without contrast, and a standard scan is enough to assess bone, cartilage and the surrounding soft tissue. In some cases a radiologist will recommend contrast to make certain structures clearer.
There are two ways contrast is used. The first is an injection into a vein, which highlights inflammation, infection, tumours and blood supply. The second is an MRI arthrogram, where contrast is injected directly into the hip joint under image guidance before the scan. An arthrogram is the most sensitive way to show a labral tear, because the fluid spreads through the joint and outlines small tears that a standard MRI can miss.
You will be told in advance if contrast is planned, and it is only used when it will genuinely add to the diagnosis. When contrast is used, the appointment takes a little longer. Let the team know beforehand if you have ever reacted to contrast dye or have kidney problems.
How Long Does a Hip MRI Take?
A typical hip MRI takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete. In some cases contrast material is needed to show important structures in the hip, and this is given through a vein. When contrast is used, the appointment takes longer while you wait for it to circulate through the body.
It is important to stay as still as possible while the scan is being performed. Any sudden movements can blur the images, and the scan may need to be repeated, which increases the time it takes.
Does Your Whole Body go in For a Hip MRI?
There are two main types of MRI machines.
- Standard Bore - The traditional style and more common machine. This is a narrow tube that will slide the majority of the body into the machine.
- Short Bore - This machine is about half the size of a traditional standard bore machine. This allows smaller portions of the body to be inside the tube, while the rest of the body remains exposed.
Depending on the type of machine being used, the entire body will go into the machine or just a portion of your body will go into the machine.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, a short bore machine is usually more manageable for patients. You can discuss this and any other concerns when you make an appointment for a hip MRI scan.
How Do You Prepare For a Hip MRI?
An MRI is a straightforward, non-invasive diagnostic procedure. Therefore it does not require much preparation. In some circumstances, you may be asked to fast before your scan. However, that is not common during a hip MRI. The most important preparation is detailing your medical history with the technician.
It is important to include:
- Allergies to medication
- Pacemakers or Defibrillators
- Artificial Joints
- Metal plates, stents, or screws
- Pregnancy
Some scans require the use of contrast material to enhance the structures surrounding the hip joint. It’s important to indicate if you have any known allergies to the contrast material.
Although an MRI is a very safe procedure, the use of a strong magnetic field can cause fluctuations in the settings of implanted medical devices. Therefore these will need to be monitored. Any metal can interfere with the quality of the scan. This includes jewellery, metal fasteners and any implanted metal material.
Studies have not shown any correlation between MRI procedures and birth defects. However, it is important to provide a comprehensive medical history to the technician and radiologist.
Equipment Used
An MRI scanner is a large, round, doughnut-shaped scanning machine. A flat medical table is attached to the machine that moves patients slowly in and out of the MRI scanner tube. Computers are used to capture detailed images, and a radiographer controls the machine remotely from another room. You’ll be provided with earphones or a headset to help reduce the sound made by the scanner, and you’ll be able to communicate with your radiographer via an intercom.
Benefits
MRI scans are safe for most people and are a quick, painless, non-invasive way to investigate the conditions that could be causing your hip pain.
There are a few reasons doctors reach for MRI in particular:
- It uses no radiation, so it is a good choice when repeat imaging may be needed.
- It shows soft tissue in far more detail than an X-ray, which makes it well suited to finding cartilage damage, labral tears, tendon problems and early arthritis.
- It captures the hip and the structures around it in a single scan, so one appointment can explain pain that has more than one cause. And by pinpointing the problem accurately, it can help you avoid more invasive tests.
Risks
While MRI scans are safe, some things need to be considered before having one:
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Patients with claustrophobia or who struggle to remain still may find the closed nature of an MRI scanner difficult. Speak to your doctor about the possibility of a mild sedative if you’re concerned.
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Metallic objects pose potential risks inside an MRI scanner if they’re magnetic, due to the strong magnets used during the procedure. This includes jewellery, watches and removable devices such as hearing aids, which all need to be removed prior to your scan. Speak to your doctor if you have non-removable devices such as cochlear implants or any meshes, stents, valves, screws or wires.
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Some patients develop an allergic reaction to the dyes used during a contrast MRI scan. If you know you have an allergy to iodine or gadolinium, let your radiographer know. Symptoms of an allergy include breathlessness, a metallic taste in the mouth, excessive sweating and feeling flushed.
Getting the Results
Once your radiographer is happy they have enough detailed images of your hip area, the scan will be over and you’ll be able to get up and dressed. If you’ve had a contrast dye administered, you’ll need to remain in the clinic for half an hour to ensure you don’t develop an allergic reaction.
Your radiographer will send your scan images to a radiologist who will interpret them and discuss them with your referring doctor, who will then contact you to discuss them.
Costs
In the UK, a private hip MRI scan costs between £200 and £400.
Get a Hip MRI Scan
Hip pain can significantly impact your life and ability to move about freely and do the things you enjoy. Book a private hip MRI scan with us, and begin your journey to treatment.
The Bottom Line
The hip is home to a multitude of soft tissues, bones and muscles. When we experience hip pain, it can be the result of any number of potential problems. The unknown is frustrating and can make finding a solution to your pain a challenge.
An MRI provides a clear insight into the hip and surrounding structures. This can increase the chances of making an accurate diagnosis the first time. This means a treatment plan that fits your needs and gets you on the path to recovery much sooner.
If you are looking for more information on a hip MRI procedure, contact us. Or book an appointment at one of our centres. We are here to help get you back to enjoying your everyday life–minus the pain.
FAQs
Can a Hip MRI Show Cancer?
Yes. An MRI scan highlights tumours in the bones or soft tissues that could be causing your hip pain.
Does Your Whole Body Go In for a Hip MRI?
Not necessarily. An open, or short, bore scanner only requires your lower half to enter the machine. Older closed, or standard, bore scanners may require your whole body to enter. In some cases, if doctors need to see how your hip behaves when standing, you may have the scan taken in an upright scanner.
How Long Does a Hip MRI Take?
The scan itself usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. Allow around half an hour for the whole appointment. If you are having a contrast MRI, the appointment will take around an hour, including the time afterwards to check for any reaction.
Does a Hip MRI Show the Groin?
Yes. A hip MRI highlights issues stemming from the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the groin that may be causing pain in the hip area.
How Do You Read a Hip MRI?
Your radiologist and wider medical team have the training they need to read your hip MRI and detect bone fractures, soft tissue injuries and other abnormalities.
Can You Have an MRI With a Hip Replacement?
Generally, yes. Most modern artificial hip joints are made from non-metallic substances or from metals compatible with MRI scanners, so it is safe to have an MRI. Older hip replacements may not be, but your medical team can advise which type you have and whether it is safe to scan.
Does a Hip MRI Hurt?
No. A hip MRI is painless. You lie still on the scanner bed while the images are taken, and the main thing most people notice is the noise, which is why you are given ear protection. If contrast is injected, you may feel a brief scratch from the needle.
Can a Hip MRI Miss a Problem?
A standard hip MRI is very accurate for most causes of hip pain, but no scan is perfect. Small labral tears in particular can be hard to see on a standard MRI, which is why an MRI arthrogram, using contrast injected into the joint, is sometimes used when a tear is suspected. Your radiologist will advise if a different scan would give a clearer answer.
References
- https://aica.com/how-long-does-a-hip-mri-take/
- https://www.wakerad.com/expert-feature/how-can-a-hip-mri-help-a-diagnosis/
- https://www.hss.edu/hip-pain-center-diagnosis.asp
- https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/bones-joints-and-muscles/7-things-to-know-about-hip-pain#:~:text=Most%20hip%20pain%20is%20due,the%20hip%20bone%20or%20joint.
- https://kalyanhospital.com/some-myths-and-facts-about-hip-pain/
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/hip-pain/five-common-causes-of-hip-pain-in-women.aspx
- https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/43/4/497/1785060
- https://www.hss.edu/conditions_imaging-for-hip-pain.asp
- https://x-ray.ca/services/magnetic-resonance/pelvic-mri-scan/
- https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=mri-abdomen-pelvis
- https://www.wakerad.com/expert-feature/how-can-a-hip-mri-help-a-diagnosis/
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-bursitis
- https://www.americanhealthimaging.com/blog/patients-trust-comfort-short-bore-mri-technology/
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/pelvis-mri-scan
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pelvis-mri-scan#uses
