CT and MRI Scans: Diagnosing Orthopedic Conditions and Injuries

Radiography (or X-ray) has long been a standard method to identify conditions such as arthritis, joint dislocations, and fractures. X-ray machines emit tiny amounts of ionizing radiation that another device captures to produce an image.

However, more advanced diagnostic technologies, including CT and MRI scans, provide even more detailed, high-resolution images of the bones and soft tissues. For example, a CT scan is a series of focused X-rays that creates a 3D image of the area in question. The additional imaging a CT scan takes can expose a tumor or fracture that may be less visible on an X-ray.

MRIs are another advanced imaging technique that aids in diagnosing torn cartilage, ligaments, and muscles (particularly for issues of the spine, hip, and pelvis). Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRIs do not use radiation. Instead, it uses a powerful magnet to pass radio waves through the subject’s body. The body’s protons react to the radio waves, producing detailed images that X-rays and CT scans cannot.

Three Types of MRI Options

Our EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region patients can take advantage of three different types of MRI options:

Traditional MRI
Open MRI
Wide Bore MRI

1. Traditional MRI

For a traditional MRI, the patient will lay on a table which advances into a 60cm cylindrical bore. Rigid and flexible coils are used to provide detailed imaging of all parts of the patient’s body. These coils can be laid on, inside or on top of the table, or wrapped around the body part to acquire the necessary images. Most individual MRIs take approximately 15 to 45 minutes however, times can vary.

The Siemens Magnetom Avanto 1.5 Tesla scanner is located in both our main office in Durham as well as on our mobile MRI unit. You can receive traditional MRI services at one of the following locations:

Durham
120 William Penn Plaza
Durham, NC 27704

Wake Forest – Wakefield
11550 Common Oaks Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614

Apex
910 West Williams Street
Apex, NC 27502

Burlington
1111 Huffman Mill Rd
Burlington, NC 27215

Clayton
2196 NC Highway 42 W
Clayton, NC 27520

Oxford
107 E. McClanahan Street
Oxford, NC 27565

Smithfield
100 Kellie Drive
Smithfield, NC 27577

2. Open MRI

Unlike a traditional MRI, which occurs within a closed capsule, an open MRI is consistent with its nomenclature. Instead of an enclosed tube, an open MRI has open sides and a magnetic top and bottom.

An open MRI is much more comfortable than a traditional MRI as patients merely lie on a sliding table instead of in a tight, enclosed space. However, the increased comfort comes at the expense of image quality. Because of the open nature of the machine, it cannot produce a magnetic field as strong as that of a traditional MRI. Therefore, if you are not affected by claustrophobia, we recommend opting for a traditional MRI.

At EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region, we have an OASIS 1.2T Open MRI scanner that is available to you at the following location:

Wilson
1803 Forest Hills Road
Wilson, NC 27893

3. Wide Bore MRI

Our wide bore MRI scanners provide an additional 10 cm in diameter, than our traditional scanners. Also having updated software and imaging components, patients will not only have a more comfortable exam but higher quality imaging will be performed.

We highly recommend our wide bore options for both claustrophobic and broader patients.

Our Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5T Wide Bore MRI scanner at our Southpoint practice and Siemens Altea 1.5T MRI scanner at our Raleigh practice offer more space for patients who need it. You can get wide bore imaging done at the following locations:

Raleigh
3100 Duraleigh Rd, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612

Southpoint
7810 NC-751
Durham, NC 27713

To book an appointment with an imaging specialist, click here or call us at 984.279.3654.