Lumbar Spine MRI

A person who has suffered a serious back injury or experiences chronic pain may need to receive an Lumbar Spine MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging scan. A doctor can use a Lumbar Spine MRI to carefully investigate the following:

• Assess the Spinal anatomy
• Visualize anatomical variations and diseased tissue in the spine
• Help plan surgeries on the spine such as decompression of a pinched nerve or spinal fusion
• Assess the disks-bulging, degenerated or herniated interbertebral disk
• Explore possible causes in patients with back pain.

 

If you are ready to schedule your Lumbar Spine MRI online, please fill out our Request an Appointment form and we will contact you, or you can visit or Contact Us page and call us today!

Knowing what to expect when going in for a L-spine MRI can ease the stresses and concerns a person may have. A patient can expect to answer many medical history questions before the procedure, lie down for up to an hour and a half while his or her back is being scanned. At the hospital or specialty clinic, technicians, nurses, or doctors usually ask patients several questions about their medical history. A medical professional usually asks whether a patient has any lingering heart problems or other special concerns. A technician might also ask about the specific symptoms regarding an injury or condition to get a better idea of what to focus on during the Lumbar Spine MRI scan.

When it is time to start the scan, the patient is instructed to dress in our Smart Choice MRI sweat pants and t-shirt and remove any metal jewelry, bracelets, and watches as metal can disrupt the MRI machine. The patient is told to lie down on a table that is slid into the machine. For a Lumbar Spine MRI, a person will have the upper half of his body in the machine (Open MRI, Closed MRI).

During the procedure, the technician instructs the individual to remain very still to ensure accurate readings. The machine makes clicking or knocking sounds while it is recording images, so loud noises should not be a concern. Depending on the severity and complexity of an injury, the MRI may take anywhere from about fifteen minutes to half an hour to complete. Once the procedure is finished, the technician will help the patient off of the table and allow him or her to redress.

Lumbar Spine MRI images are carefully interpreted by our trained radiologists and results will be sent to your doctor within 24 hours.  Based on the results, physicians can make accurate diagnoses and decide on the best treatment options. It is possible that a patient may have to receive more than one MRI to monitor progress and the effectiveness of a surgery or other treatment.