I had an MRI several years ago, a cardiac MRI as a preventative procedure. No metal stuff on/in your body like rings, watches, body piercing, etc. The technician gave me some headphones to wear to drown out the noise, I chose Sgt Pepper from his list.

I have had many MRIs and the knee is a piece of cake because you are put into the tube feet first. Anything above the waist is head first which is a little harder and I’m not claustrophobic. My last one had me pinned to the table in head first. About 2/3 of the way through I thought about calling it, but then I would have to do the whole thing over again. I was listening to music and knew about how many songs I needed to get to the end. I was concentrated on counting songs.

I had one last month when they were checking for a distal bicep tear. They gave me ear plugs and I took a nap for half an hour or so.

I am claustrophobic. No doubt about it. I admit it.
The first 2 I had were no problem at all. The third one, several years later, didn’t work so well. I climbed up on the table, they asked me what kind of music I liked, put on a really nice set of ear muffs, and started listening to the 50s and 6Os. They rolled me in the tube, and it lasted about 10 seconds. We tried it 2 more times with the same results. They told me I could get medication, but my Dr had to prescribe it, and they would have to reschedule me. One of the techs said some people had luck putting a white wash cloth over their eyes so they couldn’t see. (I couldn’t keep my eyes closed) What the hell, I’ll try it. It worked great. I could open my eyes, and see light, but nothing else.
I’ve had 2 since then, and I get a valium from my Dr., and take a white wash cloth with me. I honestly don’t know if the valium helps or not. I don’t feel any different, but I take it about 30 minutes before the appointment, put my wash cloth over my eyes and everything is ok.

A knee is nothing.
Fast and just lower body in tube.

Be still.

For a knee, you should be fine. I had a shoulder done 12 years ago. I should have the other shoulder done, but I will never go headfirst into that tube again without major narcotics.

I am claustrophobic, my nose was almost touching the inside of the tube. I had the headphones to listen to something, and drown out the impressive noise those things make. With a couple of minutes left, My entire right side cramped and went into spasm. The tech very helpfully told me to stop moving, and I told him back that it was a cramp I couldn't control.

I was in there for 45 minutes or so, and was able to contain the terror for the most part, but it was very uncomfortable. Once the cramping started, and the tube contained my movement, all bets were off.

If I ever go again, I will either have an "open" mri, which is a bigger tube, or I will be drugged to the gills.

Good luck.

I have fallen asleep in the 4 MRIs I’ve had. Only one had to have Valium and it was because my neck was in spasm.
All that banging noise puts me right to sleep.

Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.

Two and a half MRIs for my lower back. The half was ended as I hit both sides and was totally
Next time I had 10mg valium and no problems. I also put a wet paper towel over my face.
Third time they gave me earphones and I selected pop. What they put on was LOUD COUNTRY!I mashed the panic button and told the joker off. Then selected the music and volume.
My doctor was also made.

Yes I drank the gallon of “leave nothing behind” I used lemon favoring.
Bottom line take the medication, check the music

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1mg Xannie is ok, not a big dose. If you’re that freaked by an elevator you might need more, or Ativan. Other way is to ‘help’ the Xanax with a shot of alcohol with the pill, but the doc and tech can’t tell you to do that.

DON’T DRIVE AFTER.

IANAD.

YMMV.

Oh, and don’t interlace your fingers. I did that the first time to keep my arms and hands from moving. It just ‘heats up’ your fingers.

“ Interlacing fingers during an MRI can lead to peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), which may cause sensations similar to small shocks …”

If you find it bothersome, see if there is an open MRI in your area. Rather than a tube, it has four posts and you can see out of it 360 degrees.
The magnetic field strengths are usually less than the gantry type but are more than sufficient to produce excellent images of a knee.

As mentioned earlier, knees can be imaged feet first with a gantry type MRI, just request that from the tech.

I have had three, in 2012, 2013 and 2024. The first two left my head sticking out, mostly because my problem then was on the other end. The third needed my head in because the problem was on that end. Having permanently fixed metal dental work apparently made no difference. The machine is not like those in medical shows. The noise resembles being inside a steel drum with a half dozen guys beating on it with sledge hammers. There is also a strange "warbling" kind of sound. You'll be given ear muffs, or headphones with music if you're lucky, for this. I just relaxed, held still and tuned the noise out, not too different from my former work in noisy repair shops or at a gun range.

It is a little known fact that the MRI machine was first invented my the Seminole Indians. They say that you should wear the scrubs they give you, but the only way to be really sure of no interference and a good scan is to come out of the little dressing room butt ass naked and preferably holding a half eaten turkey leg in one hand and a glazed donut in the other. Offer the MRI operator the turkey leg as they will likley look a little confused and possibly peckish when you come out naked. Explain that the donut is in case your low blood sugar effects the scan. Let us know how your scan goes.

I’ve had many. Legs no problem. It’s shoulders where they slide your whole body into the cocoon that was the issue for me. I had to get MRI’s done on both shoulders and due to my height, not weight, my shoulders rubbed the sides inside the machine and it was brutal. Also the times I had to get an arm done due to torn tendon(s). Legs shouldn’t be an issue however. I would definitely bring your own earplugs. I use pink foamies for motorcycle riding and for shooting firearms as I wear them and electronic ear pro, effectively doubling up since I’m a musician and try to protect my ears as much as possible.

My biggest recommendation are have a channel on the popular streaming services as they will likely give you this option for the headphones unless it’s some low rent outfit. The music helps. And I would focus on your breathing. I learned this in martial arts as a kid and during sports. Control your breathing. Deep measured breaths the entire time. Hyperfocus on your breathing to keep yourself calm. That got damn machine makes all sorts of electronic beeps and whizzes and it gets old during a 30 minute session. And don’t move either. If you move and the tech fucks it up, you have to do it all over again. I’ve had times where I didn’t move and the tech had me positioned just a little off (their fault) and I had to do it all over again and be in that machine over an hour.

And I wouldn’t worry about taking any prescriptions like Xanax for leg/knee MRI’s. If it was upper body, especially anyone claustrophobic, definitely yes. Dope it out and get someone to drive you. You do not want to drive on Xanax after you are done. Good way to wreck, or get arrested for DUI in a LEO stop.

Had several, not going in the tube, they tried that and it's not going to happen

There are lots of tech advancements in that area, open MRI is commonplace and no issue for insurance to cover. Check around for MRI places and find one with an open machine, also explain your service needs and how they handle it such as feet first.

I've had a half dozen in the past 5 months and none of them were in the tube.

https://rayusradiology.com/market-texas/

RayUs Radiology has locations all across the USA including Texas, with multiple machine types at each location, nice people and they will find what works for you. Got me in for a back MRI, Upper and lower, 45 minutes but there wasn't a full tube. Call the one near you, see what they offer, if they accept your coverage and the Dr order.

They are loud, bring earplugs, Rayus offered headphones with music but the machine is so loud you'll still hear it over the music.

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Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
They are noisy, so you will be given earplugs. Stuff them in really deep!

The magnetic field will cause some static, which causes a very slight sensation in the skin. It's normal and very slight.

As you have probably read, the magnets are incredibly powerful. You want nothing, nada, zilch with you when you go in the room. Just your naked body and the cotton gown.

The tech isn't allowed to tell you anything they see other than they didn't see an alien about to burst out of your abdomen.

If you wear nothing metal you won't have to change.

Alternatively, I needed 2 MRIs of my brain before my surgery last week. First was to diagnose, and the other was to give the surgeon information he needed to do the surgery. I wear Deluth Trading cargo pants and tee shirts, and was not required or even asked to change either time past taking off my boots. Same goes for the MRIs I've had of my back and ankle.

I've been in the tube at least 5 or 6 times over the years, mostly recently twice for my prostate cancer. No reason to psych yourself out. It's a necessity to get your leg fixed. They always have headphones with music, although you can't hear it that well because of the noise, and so they can communicate with ya. You will be just fine.

Had two cardiac MRIs last year. One about an hour, the second the full meal deal for nearly two hours.

I was concerned about the duration, but with eyes closed and all the breath-in, hold, breath out for upper body scans time went relatively quick. I did almost fall asleep while waiting after contrast injection.

After two hours prone, not moving, legs on pillow thingy, I did need a minute when standing back up!

Realize some folks have severe claustrophobia, but some good suggestions here for alternatives to help.

On my last MRI I went to a different place that had a "wide bore" machine. Internet says it has a 70cm diameter rather than the traditional 60cm. It was much less constrictive that the traditional machines I've been in before.

The Seminole Indians DID NOT invent the MRI. Where did you read that?

Must have been The Cleveland Indians.