Magnetic resonance imaging of the hip joints is aimed at obtaining detailed information regarding the state of all structures of this joint. We are talking not only about the bone component, but also about soft tissues, as well as the circulatory system, ligaments and articular elements.
The presented diagnostic method does not cause significant harm to health, it is used even to search for lesions and injuries in children. In a serious condition of the victim, the decision on the need for an examination is made by the doctor, based on each specific situation.
If the benefits of the results outweigh the harm, then the victim will simply be preliminarily immersed in a drug-induced sleep. But even in the normal state, the patient will not experience pain, and at the end of the study, he will not need to follow a rehabilitation program.
Research benefits
In addition to the painlessness of the method, it has a number of other advantages, such as saving time. Despite the fact that the manipulation itself can last about half an hour, which is longer than computed tomography (CT), the result obtained replaces and may be more informative than classical radiography and ultrasound examination.
Depending on the need, the attending physician may offer a traditional examination format using a magnetic tomograph, or using contrast. The latter solution is especially relevant for the detection of neoplasms at the initial stages of development. Usually, ultrasound does not give such a detailed answer, since the deep structures of the joint and tendon under study remain invisible, which poses a serious threat to the preparation of an individual therapy program.
Each patient independently decides where to do the study. This may be a private medical center or an inpatient department of a public hospital, but you need to clarify where you can get an examination from your doctor.
The cost of the procedure is determined by the characteristics of each individual device and the pricing policy of a particular medical institution. Sometimes an MRI of the hip joints is not enough, so the doctor decides on additional testing. We are talking about the need to examine the organs of the small pelvis or abdominal cavity, which is necessary to determine the degree of damage in extensive inflammatory processes.
For prophylaxis, magnetic resonance imaging is usually never used, even if medical centers offer discounts for the procedure. The referral is issued by a narrow specialist who must take into account the patient’s current complaints and symptoms.
Also, potential patients are often puzzled by the question of whether it is allowed to conduct a study with an endoprosthesis. But here it is necessary to consider each case individually, as in situations after arthroplasty.
The main advantages of the procedure over outdated analogues are usually distinguished:
- non-invasive manipulation;
- no radiation exposure;
- obtaining a three-dimensional projection;
- the ability to zoom in on the model of the inner part of the hip joint for detailed consideration;
- the ability to consider the smallest anomalies up to the identification of individual metastases.
Often the conclusion becomes the basis for planning the surgical intervention. Such an important role of this diagnostic method is explained by the ability to capture an image not only of the exact location of the focus, but also of inflamed surrounding tissues.
Indications for MRI
Since the anatomy of the hip region is a complex mechanism, sometimes a simple MRI is not enough. This concerns cases where it is necessary to simultaneously analyze the state of blood vessels to exclude the risks of serious lesions, then a study with contrast is used. But the final decision on its expediency is made by the attending physician.
It is generally accepted that a recommendation for MRI diagnostics may be a significant lesion of these joints, such as:
- injury;
- fracture;
- stretching;
- dislocation;
- break.
But no less often the reason for treatment is coxarthrosis. Moreover, this applies both to situations when the patient was first diagnosed with a disease, and, if necessary, to control the dynamics. The latter is necessary for patient monitoring after an approved therapy program. The results of the study will tell you how effective the chosen path turned out to be.
Detailed pictures will help diagnose:
- rheumatoid conditions, for example, Bechterew’s disease or lupus erythematosus;
- infections of narrow localization;
- oncological changes of a benign or malignant nature;
- dysplasia;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- osteonecrosis;
- osteomyelitis;
- pinched nerves;
- Perthes-Calve disease (a genetic disease of the femur and hip joint associated with impaired blood supply to the femoral head and malnutrition of its articular cartilage, followed by necrosis);
- Paget’s disease (a chronic disease that develops as a result of impaired bone remodeling, leading to an increase in the size and deformation of bones, manifested by bone pain, pathological fractures and arthritis of nearby joints).
With stiffness of motor activity or edema of unclear origin, diagnostics using magnetic resonance imaging may also be recommended.
It does not do without MRI at the stage of the preoperative and postoperative period due to the surgical intervention, when the study is necessary for the preparation of restorative therapy.
Correct preparation algorithm
It is imperative to determine in advance whether the patient has an allergy to the contrast agent. Since patients do not always know how the body will react to a previously unused drug, a preliminary allergic test should be performed. With a positive reaction, you can try to replace the drug with an analogue, use antihistamines, or involve CT instead of MRI.
Another important step in the preparation is to notify the attending doctor about pregnancy, since any stage of pregnancy becomes a contraindication to the use of magnetic resonance imaging with contrast, because contrast can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and harm the fetus. Ignoring the prohibition can turn into severe pathologies in the development of the unborn baby.
Young children are allowed to conduct such an analysis, with a serious preponderance of benefits over possible harm, when the choice is between the life of the child and the study under general anesthesia.
As a rule, childhood is a relative contraindication, as well as psychological disorders, uncontrolled motor syndrome. The categorical nature is explained by the fact that the victim must endure the entire procedure in complete immobility, when any movement shifts the three-dimensional image and requires re-examination.
Other relative contraindications include diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic failure.
All this is dangerous only if necessary, use contrasting, since the elements of the drug must be removed naturally in time.
And with the final relative prohibition of claustrophobia, new generation devices with open side parts will help to cope. They are used both for examining the spine and for diagnosing possible deviations of the hip joints.
Separately, you should take care to remove all metal elements from yourself before starting the study. We are talking about jewelry, piercings and metal elements on clothes. In advance, you need to warn the specialist about the presence of any built-in electronic elements such as pacemakers and spokes to support the skeleton.
MRI algorithm
The basis of the tomograph is a tube that is surrounded by a magnetic belt. When using open cameras, the fields are concentrated on the sides, which helps to eliminate panic for those suffering from claustrophobia or obesity.
Before examining the patient, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the examination procedure and prepare him for any surprises. The patient is placed on a medical couch. If contrasting is provided, then contrast is first injected through a vein or into the articular cavity. To eliminate discomfort, the injection site must be anesthetized.
Then it remains only to remain motionless for the entire period of the study. The result with encrypted data is either handed out or transferred to the attending physician. Taking into account the results of other tests, the patient’s complaints and the characteristics of his body, the doctor builds a treatment regimen after establishing an accurate diagnosis.