Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Tri-County Orthopedics practitioners prescribe and interpret MRI scans to aid in diagnosing injuries and conditions in your body. An MRI is a harmless, noninvasive test that uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce more detailed images of muscles, tendons, and ligaments inside your body. The scans are very safe, and there is no radiation exposure.

MRI at Tri-County Orthopedics

If a Tri-County Orthopedics practitioner prescribes an MRI, you will receive a prescription and will be given instructions as to nearby locations to complete this test. Our staff will help guide you through the process of preauthorization, but you will have to schedule this test with one of the MRI facilities that are in the region. Once you have completed the test, your practitioner will review it with you in person, via telehealth, or by phone.

Please note that Tri-County Orthopedics does not own any MRI machines but will direct you to a facility near our offices.

Preparing for Your MRI Scan and What to Expect the Day of Your Exam

  • Please inform your MRI scheduling representative if you have a pacemaker, metal fragments in your eyes or body, or types of aneurysm clips and implants.
  • Most MRI scans take about 45 minutes each. Some parts of the body may take up to 1.5 hours. If you are having three or more scans done, you may want to consider scheduling them on separate days.
  • You may wear normal street clothes as long as they do not contain any metal, including zippers, snaps, buttons, and metallic thread. You will also be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures, loose change, wallets, bank or credit cards, wigs, etc.
  • If you are on medications, you can continue to take them as prescribed. If you have pain medication, you should also take these so your exam will be more comfortable, as you will have to lie still during the exam.
  • When ready for your MRI, you will be asked to lie on the table either head or feet first, depending on the type of exam. The table will then move the part of the body being scanned to the center of the magnet. You will hear a loud knocking/buzzing as you are being scanned. Due to the loud noises, you will be given earplugs to wear.
  • If you are claustrophobic, please inform the digital imaging technician. There are medications that can be provided for you to make you more at ease. If you are in need of this medication, you will need to have someone available to drive you the day of your exam. Please keep in mind we will do everything we can to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Insurance Pre-Authorization Notice

Recent changes in insurance pre-authorization with a few major insurance carriers may delay the approval of your MRI test. However, please rest assured that all of us at Tri-County Orthopedics are working tirelessly to ensure that we can obtain your pre-authorization in a timely manner.

Additionally, while you may be granted a pre-authorization by your insurance company, please understand that a pre-authorization is NOT a guarantee that they will pay for the service. It may be determined after the service that you have not met their criteria for the test, and that may defer the cost to you.

We thank you for choosing Tri-County Orthopedics for your orthopedic care. As always, we will continue to make your orthopedic care our priority, and we sincerely appreciate your patience during this process.

For questions or to request additional information regarding our MRI services, please contact our office at (973) 538-2334.