Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues inside the body. For individuals experiencing pain or injury in their lower leg, an Achilles MRI provides physicians with clear visibility of the largest tendon. This imaging procedure helps to accurately diagnose conditions such as tears, inflammation, or degenerative changes often collectively referred to as tendinosis. Understanding the process and the time involved can help alleviate any concerns.
Typical Scan Duration for the Achilles
The actual time spent inside the MRI machine for an Achilles scan is usually shorter than the total appointment time. A standard, non-complex Achilles MRI typically requires the patient to be in the scanner for about 30 to 45 minutes. This duration allows the machine to capture the necessary high-resolution cross-sectional images of the tendon and surrounding soft tissues. Patients should plan for a total time commitment of approximately one hour from arrival to departure, accounting for preparation and post-scan procedures.
Preparing for the Procedure
Before the scan sequences can begin, patients must undergo a thorough safety screening process. This involves reviewing a questionnaire to identify any implanted metal devices, such as pacemakers or nerve stimulators, as these are incompatible with the strong magnetic field. Patients are also required to remove all external metal objects, including jewelry, watches, and clothing with metallic components. Most facilities require changing into a provided medical gown to ensure no metal interferes with imaging quality.
Once the screening is complete, the technologist will position the patient on the movable table, typically lying on their back with the feet entering the machine first. The foot and ankle are carefully placed within a specialized coil designed to optimize the clarity of the Achilles tendon images. The affected leg is then gently immobilized using specialized padding to prevent any unintentional movement during the imaging sequences. Maintaining complete stillness throughout the scan is important because motion can blur the images and necessitate repeating the sequence, thus increasing the total time.
Factors That Influence the Time Commitment
The 30- to 45-minute estimate can change based on several variables, the most common being the need for intravenous contrast material. A contrast agent, typically containing Gadolinium, may be injected to enhance the visibility of specific tissues or blood flow patterns, which is useful when assessing inflammation or tumors. The administration of this contrast and the subsequent imaging sequences required after the injection can add an extra 15 to 20 minutes to the total scan time.
Patient cooperation also influences the duration significantly, as excessive movement during any of the sequences can result in poor-quality images. If the images are blurred, the technologist must re-run that specific sequence, which extends the patient’s time in the scanner. Furthermore, the complexity of the pathology being investigated affects the number of imaging sequences the ordering physician requests. For instance, a detailed assessment of a complex partial tear may require more specialized sequences than a simple diagnosis of tendinosis. Scanning both Achilles tendons for comparison will also predictably double the time spent acquiring images.
What Happens After the MRI
As soon as the final image sequence is successfully acquired, the technologist will assist the patient in exiting the scanner bore. If an intravenous line was placed for contrast administration, a staff member will remove the IV catheter before the patient leaves. Patients who received contrast may be asked to remain for a brief monitoring period, often about 30 minutes, to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions.
The technologist cannot interpret the images or provide a preliminary diagnosis, as their role is solely to acquire the best possible pictures. Once the patient leaves, the images are digitally processed and sent to a specialist physician known as a radiologist. This radiologist is trained to analyze the detailed soft tissue structures of the Achilles tendon, looking for subtle signs of injury or disease. They then generate a formal written report summarizing their findings, which is sent to the doctor who initially ordered the scan. For routine scans, the timeline for the referring doctor to receive this report is typically between 24 to 72 hours, though in some non-urgent circumstances, it may take up to one to two weeks.