Southern Imaging Services (SIS) provides advanced musculoskeletal imaging to help diagnose and monitor joint, soft tissue, and bone conditions with precision and care. Whether you need an MRI for joints, soft tissues, or bones, our state-of-the-art technology ensures detailed imaging and reliable results. Our board-certified radiologists work efficiently, delivering results to your treating physician within 24 to 48 hours.
We provide non-contrast MRI studies that prioritize your comfort and safety, all while delivering exceptional image quality. With a patient-first approach and convenient locations in Charlotte, High Point, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Rock Hill, you can trust us for top-notch care in a welcoming and professional environment. Our team is fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear and compassionate communication for every patient.
Musculoskeletal Imaging at SIS
Joint MRI
Joint MRI is a highly effective diagnostic tool for evaluating injuries and conditions affecting the knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and other joints. This imaging technique provides detailed visualization of joint structures, allowing for the assessment of ligament tears, cartilage damage, arthritis, and other joint problems.
MRI can accurately identify anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears or meniscal damage, which are common sports-related knee injuries. Similarly, for shoulder pain or instability, MRI can detect rotator cuff tears or labral injuries with precision.
MRI imaging of joints is also useful for monitoring degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis by identifying cartilage loss or inflammation over time.
Soft Tissue MRI
Soft tissue MRI focuses on imaging muscles, tendons, and ligaments to diagnose conditions such as sprains, strains, or tears. This advanced imaging technique is ideal for detecting subtle changes in soft tissue structures that may not be visible on X-rays or CT scans. For instance, MRI can reveal tendon thickening or inflammation associated with tendinopathy or identify ligament injuries like partial tears that might cause persistent pain and limited mobility.
Additionally, MRI is often used to differentiate between soft tissue masses and inflammatory conditions, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Bone and Marrow MRI
Bone and marrow MRI is a specialized imaging service designed to detect abnormalities within the bone structure and marrow. It is particularly effective in identifying bone marrow edema—a condition often associated with fractures or stress injuries—as well as infections like osteomyelitis and bone tumors.
MRI imaging provides critical insights into the internal composition of bones that are not visible through standard X-rays. This approach is essential for diagnosing complex conditions such as bone infections or evaluating the extent of tumor involvement in bone tissue.
How MRI Imaging Works
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images.
During an MRI scan, the strong magnet aligns the hydrogen atoms in your body, which are naturally present in water and fat. Then, the MRI machine sends radio waves into your body, causing these atoms to produce signals. The machine collects these signals and a computer processes them to create detailed images of your internal organs and tissues.
You might need an MRI instead of an X-ray for several reasons. While X-rays are excellent for quickly visualizing bone fractures and some lung diseases, they have limitations for soft tissue imaging. MRI scans allow for detailed examination of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. This makes MRI particularly valuable for diagnosing joint conditions and soft tissue injuries.
Conditions Diagnosed with Joint and Soft Tissue MRI
MRI is a powerful tool for diagnosing joint conditions and soft tissue injuries. By providing detailed images of muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and other soft tissues, MRI helps healthcare providers pinpoint the cause of pain, swelling, or reduced mobility.
Some of the common injuries and illnesses diagnosed with soft tissue and joint MRI scans include:
- Ligament Tears: MRI scans identify ACL tears in the knee and other ligament damage from sports injuries or accidents.
- Tendon Injuries: Soft tissue MRI imaging can detect tendonitis or tendon tears, including rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder and Achilles tendon tears.
- Arthritis and Joint Degeneration: Joint MRI scans can identify cartilage loss and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis.
- Muscle Strains or Tears: Soft tissue MRI scans can reveal damage to muscle fibers caused by overuse or trauma.
- Soft Tissue Tumors or Cysts: MRIs can uncover masses in soft tissues, such as lipomas or ganglion cysts.
- Bursitis: MRI tests help diagnose inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion joints, often occurring in the shoulder, hip, or elbow.
- Labral Tears: MRI scans detect tears in cartilage, such as the labrum in the hip or shoulder, which can cause pain and instability.
- Sprains and Overuse Injuries: A soft tissue MRI imaging can identify ligament sprains from repetitive stress injuries.
MRI’s detailed imaging capabilities allow for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Why Get a Bone MRI or Bone Marrow MRI?
MRI imaging of bones focuses on capturing images of the bone structure itself. An MRI bone scan is excellent for detecting fractures, bone tumors, and other abnormalities in the bone tissue. It can provide more detailed information about bone injuries and diseases compared to traditional X-rays.
An MRI of bone marrow specifically targets the soft tissue inside the bones. This type of scan is particularly useful for examining the composition of bone marrow, which contains important components like fat, water, and blood-forming cells. Bone marrow MRI is highly sensitive in detecting alterations within the bone marrow before other imaging techniques.
Bone MRI and bone marrow MRI scans are used for diagnosing and monitoring bone tumors and diseases like multiple myeloma and leukemia. MRI imaging is also used to diagnose bone infections such as osteomyelitis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Musculoskeletal Imaging
How Do I Prepare for an MRI?
We suggest arriving early and wearing comfortable clothes. However, we will offer scrubs to change into if needed. Before your scan, you will be asked to remove metal objects such as glasses, jewelry, dentures or dental bridges, and body piercings because the strong MRI magnet can affect certain metals.
Tell our staff if you have any metal implants or medical devices in your body. They will assess if the MRI process is safe for you to undergo.
What Happens During the MRI Test?
Once you’re ready, you will lie on a padded table that slides into the MRI machine, which looks like a large tube. The area of your body being scanned will be positioned in the center of the machine.
The scan is painless, but the machine makes loud tapping and thumping noises. To make you more comfortable, you may be given earplugs or headphones to block out the noise. It’s important to stay still during the scan so that the images come out clear.
How Long Does an MRI Take?
Each MRI should take less than 30 minutes. When physicians order multiple MRIs, patients may take breaks between procedures. Our staff will communicate with you throughout the process.
How Soon Will I Get My MRI Results?
One of our experienced Board Certified Radiologists will read your MRI in real-time and send it to your referring physician within 24-48 hours. Your physician will then review and discuss your MRI results and treatment options with you.
How Much Does Musculoskeletal Imaging Cost?
We are committed to offering high-quality musculoskeletal imaging at the lowest possible cost. Patients pay a self-pay price at the time of service. You will not be surprised by hidden charges later, such as radiologist reading fees or facilities fees.
The Self-Pay Price Includes:
- Your MRI scan
- A copy of your exam on a CD-ROM
- Professional interpretation and a written report from a board-certified radiologist sent to you and/or your physician within 24-48 hours of your exam.
For pricing please call 704-321-4798.
Why Choose Southern Imaging Services?
- Highest Quality Imaging: SIS provides the highest quality MRI imaging with state-of-the-art technology for accurate results.
- Experienced Staff: Our radiologists are all board-certified with sub-specializations in Musculoskeletal (MSK) or Neuroradiology.
- Quick Results: MRI results will be sent to your referring physician within 24-48 hours.
- English and Spanish: ¿hablas español? Our team is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Contact SIS to Schedule Your Musculoskeletal MRI
At Southern Imaging Services, we’re committed to providing safe, accurate, and convenient MRI imaging to help you better understand and manage your health. Whether you need a joint MRI, soft tissue MRI, or bone marrow MRI, you can rely on our experienced team at SIS.
With multiple locations in North Carolina and bilingual staff fluent in English and Spanish, we make it easy to access the care you need. Don’t wait, contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the next step toward a healthier you.
