Hip joint, MRI: testimony that shows where to draw

Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most high-frequency methods for diagnosing pathological changes in the hip joint. Due to the high degree of informativeness of the images obtained and accessibility, qualified doctors often recommend the passage of tomography in order to make an accurate diagnosis, as well as evaluate the course of physiological processes, the structure and structure of organs, bones and soft tissues. In the process of studying the hip joint, several thin sections of a single three-dimensional image are produced. Immediately after the procedure, doctors examine the pictures and give the results with a transcript to the patient. After the examination of the hip joints (MRI), the pictures should be shown to the attending physician, who gave directions for diagnosis.

Causes of pain in the hip joint

The hip joint is considered to be the largest in the human body. It provides free movement of the legs in all planes. Various kinds of injuries and bruises, diseases and pathological changes can immediately cause severe pain. According to medical statistics, the hip joint occupies a leading place among the common pathologies of the joint apparatus. The most common causes causing severe pain in the hip joint :

• infectious diseases;
• Bruises and other mechanical injuries (dislocations and fractures);
• Aseptic necrosis of the head of the femur;
• Inflammatory processes;
• tuberculosis;
• Inflammatory reactions in autoimmune diseases of connective tissue.

Advantages of MRI

What is the MRI of the hip joint? Thanks to the diagnosis, it is possible to obtain images of virtually all body tissues, since it is possible to adjust the duration of the radio wave flow. This type of tomography allows us to identify various types of tumors, diseases and pathological changes of the musculoskeletal system and even disorders of the central nervous system. As a result of MRI, you can get a full and three-dimensional image of the area that you need to explore. Quite often, doctors prescribe this type of diagnosis without the introduction of a contrast agent, which allows also to see in detail the organs and soft tissues.

The advantages of MRI over traditional methods of research:

• The patient is not exposed to ionizing radiation;
• Non-invasiveness of the method;
• High informativeness in obtaining the results of joint research;
• The procedure is completely painless;
• In MRI, unsafe X-rays are replaced by radio waves, which does not harm human health;
• It is possible to investigate an area that is less than 1 cm in size;
• MRI is a fairly sensitive procedure, which improves the accuracy of the study;
• It is possible to study not only the transverse, but also the longitudinal sections;
• MRI can be performed even by children and in some cases by pregnant women.

Indications for the procedure

Like the rest of the study methods, the MRI of the hip joint testimony has the following:

• Arthrosis and arthritic diseases;
• Unreasonable pain in the thigh;
• Hemorrhage in the joint;
• Mechanical damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons (ruptures and strains);
• Trauma of the hip joint (dislocations);
• Postoperative control ;
• Observation in the process of drug treatment;
• Preparation for surgical intervention;
• Tumor, swelling of the tissues and stiffness in the movements of the hip joint;
• Nerve damage;
• Abnormal joint structure;
• All kinds of infectious diseases.

Contraindications

The hip joint, whose MRI is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, is investigated in these cases by more gentle methods. The procedure should not be done for those who have metal elements on the body, such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, pacemakers, etc. Before MRT, the patient must remove from himself the metal jewelry, removable dentures, things with buckles, piercings, etc.

The procedure is also contraindicated for those:

• Who suffers from claustrophobia (in this case, the patient is administered to sleep for some time with the help of medication);
• Who have diseases in which a person can not stay in one position for a long time;
• Who suffers from epilepsy, has convulsive seizures, and also often faints;
• Who have chronic renal failure.

In addition, it is not recommended to do MR-diagnostics for those who have colored tattoos made with dyes containing metal compounds. In general, it is contraindicated to find any metal products in the tomograph, because they can be attracted by the strongest magnetic field of the device during the research.

Preparation for MRI

Before the examination on the tomograph, the hip joint, the MRI of which is planned to be done, is inspected by the doctor, and after that the date and time of the procedure are appointed. Usually, when preparing for MR diagnosis of the hip joint, you do not need to give up food or stick to a diet. The patient should be dressed in loose clothing that does not have metal parts. Before the procedure, the doctor gives a brief briefing and examines the outpatient card. It is advisable to come to the medical center 30-40 minutes before the beginning of the MRI, since additional time is needed to introduce contrast.

Contrast substance

This drug is injected into the body or into the cavity in the body, less often into the bloodstream in order to improve the visualization of the internal relief. The contrast is injected intravenously with a volume of 5-20 ml into the hip joint, the MRI of which is planned to be performed. The substance is excreted from the body within 24 hours. The composition of the contrast is gadolinium, which, in comparison with iodine-containing substances, is much less likely to cause allergic reactions. The procedure for the administration of a contrast medium is painless and does not involve unpleasant sensations or side reactions.

What does the MRI show?

Today, MRI is considered to be one of the most effective methods for diagnosing a variety of diseases, and is also an excellent variant of a refining study. What is the MRI of the hip joint? Thanks to the procedure it is possible to see:

• Malignant and benign tumors;
• Pinching of tendons;
• Condition and structure of soft and bony tissues;
• Various types of arthritis and arthrosis;
• Infectious lesions;
• Pathological changes due to surgery or other causes;
• Metastases in the joint region.

How is the MRI procedure performed?

The hip joint is diagnosed, the MRI of which is performed thanks to an accurate and modernly equipped magnetic resonance tomograph, for 30 minutes, and with the introduction of a contrast medium - about 1 hour. The patient is fixed on a table in a lying position, after which the table rides into the round part of the tomograph. During the diagnosis, the rounded part rotates around the area to be examined. The guarantee of obtaining accurate and really high-quality images is the immobile position of the body throughout the entire tomography. If necessary, close to the patient may be his close and native people. During the process of MR diagnostics, specialists monitor the patient and the scanner using a video camera. With MRI, the patient can hear a rhythmic loud sound of different tones and levels from the operation of the MR tomograph.

Where to make an MRI?

Where to do MRI of the hip joint? Of course, you need to go through the research in a specialized medical center, which has good modern technology. The place of MRI in Moscow is recommended to discuss with the attending physician in advance, who will be able to write a direction for diagnosis to the right specialist. If you suddenly began to worry about pain in the hip and pelvic bones, you can choose a clinic and a doctor yourself and go through the examination without an appointment. It is not recommended to decrypt the pictures independently and even more so to make a diagnosis. After an MRI (in Moscow or another city - it does not matter) it is necessary to consult a qualified specialist.

Cost

The price of the procedure primarily depends on the regional location of the medical center, as well as on the time of the diagnosis. In many clinics patients have the opportunity to purchase a CD, on which the result will be recorded and the procedure of the examination itself. MRI of the hip joint, the price of which depends also on the volume of the study, should be performed only by a qualified worker with the skills of working with a magnetic resonance tomograph. On average, the MRI of the hip joint costs between 3 thousand rubles and 10-12 thousand rubles.

In medical practice, X-rays, MRI of the hip joint are often used by orthopedic trauma doctors to establish a clear diagnosis and to monitor treatment. It is worth noting that MRI is still considered a more modern, safe and informative diagnostic method. Today, diagnostics with the help of a magnetic resonance tomograph has come to the forefront among the technologies of research of hip joint diseases.