- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Infection
- Injuries of the tendons, ligaments, or cartilage
- Tumors
MRIs use no radiation like conventional X-rays or CT scans. They employ a large magnet and radio waves to produce a kind of three-dimensional image. MRIs are very good at portraying soft tissues and bones in your feet and ankles.
People with the following conditions may not be good candidates for a MRI:
- A condition that requires a heart pacemaker
- Electronic inner ear implants
- Electronic stimulators
- Implanted pumps
- Metal fragments in your eyes
- Some artificial heart valves
- Surgical clips in your head (particularly aneurysm clips)
If you have a dental filling or bridge, a replacement hip or knee, or tubal ligation clips, you are usually safe to have a MRI.
In most cases, a full exam of the foot and ankle last between one hour to 90 minutes.