At Lake Forest Orthopaedics, we see a high volume of musculoskeletal injury. When history, physical examination, and X-rays can't show us the whole picture, we sometimes turn to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lake Forest Orthopaedics is equipped with a state-of-the- art in-office MRI. This open unit, equipped with cutting edge technology, allows us to generate remarkably clear images of any body area. Many times, MRI's can be ordered and reviewed the same day to give us the answers you need.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (or MRI) is a technology which uses magnetic fields to generate detailed pictures of human anatomy.  These highly-detailed pictures help physicians diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

MRI's work by creating powerful magnetic fields, which align hydrogen protons in the body. Radio frequency pulses are then applied to a specific area, or slice, of the body being scanned.  The protons in this slice absorb the energy and resonate. As the protons relax back into alignment, a signal is generated. This signal is picked up by a coil and processed, using sophisticated computers and software, into a detailed, high quality image of that portion of the body.

No, the procedure is completely pain free. Our open unit allows plenty of room for patients, so that people with claustrophobia will be perfectly comfortable in the machine. In a small number of cases, an injection of contrast is used to better highlight the tissue structures. In this case, the injection my cause some discomfort, but it is only temporary and the rest of the procedure is pain-free.