Left knee. What am I in for?

I've had three shoulder MRI's. I'm not particularly claustrophobic, but I've heard some people who are, don't care for the tubular enclosure. It didn't bother me. I relaxed, stayed calm and followed the tech's instructions. I've also heard that there are less invasive MRI's where you might go since it's your knee.

Good luck.

I've had one, about 20 years ago now for a neck problem. I'm slightly claustrophobic (I don't go into caves, and watching John McClane crawl through air ducts gives me the willies) but it didn't bother me. The main thing I remember was the noise.

Take foam earplugs just in case they don’t offer you some. Close your eyes and chill.

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.

I can get earplugs no problem. I can be claustrophobic. Not all the time. Some times I can handle it. Sometimes not. There is an elevator that goes up to a local Masonic Lodge. Very old and very small. I can't get into that thing ever. And, going through the carwash of all things sets me off. I've been given a 1mg Xanax. Don't know what that is, but the pharmacist made a point to talk to me before handing it over.

It depends:

Asshole technician and/or out of date MRI - they run you in the tube headfirst even though it's your knee and you're subjected to your head being in the confined space for all of the banging and clanging. Happened to me in 2016 at the local hospital (aka Memorial Hermann Woodlands). My knee surgeon liked the way the radiologist wrote up reports there but had no idea they'd run me in head first and had a gargantuan sized 15 or 20 year old MRI.

Normal technician and/or up to date MRI - they run you in the machine feet first, and as long as you're average height or taller your head will remain outside the machine. I'm slightly claustrophobic so I call first and talk to the technician. They ask for my height and I'm 3 for 3 on my head remaining out of the tube on knee MRIs using this approach.

My first ever knee MRI was in 2004, and I used Open MRI which is a table not a tube. I've also used open MRI for shoulder MRI.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Because of my cancer history I have to do a brain MRI each year. Never thought I was claustrophobic. Turns out I got a smidge.

One: have them put you in feet first. If they do that it’s still loud but not claustrophobic.

Two: have your Dr prescribe a tiny amount of Valium. I take one or two as I arrive at imaging centers (wife drives). By the time I’m in the tube they could stick me with hot pokers and I wouldn’t care. Valium also wears off quickly so a couple hours later you are totally back to normal.

Seriously though for a knee? Feet first. That’s the ticket. They will provide hearing protection. Close your eyes. Relax.

I had valium before my vasectomy. Didn't touch me at all.

Well because it’s for anxiety not pain. What idiot Dr prescribed that? If the MRI causes pain then take a pain killer. For most the issue is claustrophobia which is a form of anxiety, hence an anti anxiety med.

Seriously question though, did your dr actually prescribe that for pain associated with a vasectomy because that sounds idiotic (not a dr obviously but pretty common sensical). Or did you self prescribe?

I have had several over the years.

They have two types. One is an open where you just lay on an open table with markings and the enclosed tube type.

Since it’s your knee they don’t have to run you in so deep which can help.

Confined spaces used to not bother me but as I have gotten older they can if I let it get in my head. I have heard of people getting something to relax them but you may need someone to drive you home when its over. Have been offered headphones and a choice of music before but not at all places offer it.

No sir. It was to calm me down before a local injection before the procedure. He said don't take it early because they've had to carry people out the the office because it hits them so hard. That was not my experience.

The hardest part for me was keeping from moving during the scan.
If it's for your knee, you might not be completely in the machine.

With my right knee MRI, I was in the machine feet first. My upper body was out of the machine.

Loud is right. Like being in a construction zone with every imaginable truck and jackhammer running. From what you described you’re definitely going to want something to calm you if you go in head first. I’m not claustrophobic so I just take ibuprofen if anything hurts and a sleep mask for my eyes. Like one other poster, I’ve had a Valium for a procedure and it didn’t do anything for me either. If you’re concerned about that tell your doc. I have no idea how much of that one can safely take.

I have had several, including a very long (time) whole body MRI.

For all, I was given headphones to wear and asked what type music I wanted to listen to.

With your potential claustrophobia, I hope it is a large bore MRI.

Try out the Xanax before if you have never used it. See how long it takes to affect you and then take it that long before your appt.

My doctor gave me Valium before my brain MRI. Valium does nothing for me, I am claustrophobic and could not handle getting into that tube head first. It did not help that the tech told me that the button you use to call them was not working so I had no way of contacting them once you started. I cancelled that and came back.

They gave me another script that worked great, I really do not remember much other than pulling me out for the contrast. I still have some of those, I cannot recall what it was but everything becomes nothing when I take that. I have never had any other drug do that to me.

I have had them on my knees but my head stayed out so those were not an issue.

Bring a sleep mask. Put it on when you lie down on the machine.

I always just close my eyes and keep them closed, but the sleep mask would ensure you don't see the inside of the tube if they put you that far in.

I am an expert here. Had seven MRIs at different locations. They will give you a script for Valium which you should take about an hour before. If that happens you will not be allowed to drive home and must have your driver take you both ways.
I was promised music for my first MRI and had already decided on what I wanted to hear. When I arrive the tech tells me the hospital administator did not want to pay for the music. He spoke with me through the procedure and it went well. It is LOUD but it beats cutting you open. Let us know how it goes.

Had one done last Dec for my neck/spin... I wasn't aware I was claustrophobic, but I tapped out 20 mins into it. The entire time required was 30 mins for the entire scan.

Fortunately, it was sufficient for the Dr.

Very very loud and unpleasant.