MRI and You
Your physician has scheduled you for an MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedure. An MRI does not rely
on x-rays. Instead, it uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create a very clear picture of internal body structures
in computer images. The MRI shows pictures which can show the differences between healthy and unhealthy
tissue. For this reason physicians use them to examine organs, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
THE MRI SCAN
When you have an MRI you won’t feel a thing during the scan or afterwards. Since a very strong magnetic field is
used the exam itself is performed in a room that is cool and protected from metal objects. When you arrive for your
exam you will be asked to lie down on a comfortably padded table that glides you in and out of the MRI machine.
If you are having an exam of your hips or upper body you will go into the machine headfirst. If the exam is of your
feet, knees or thighs you may go in feet first. During the exam you will hear several different noises, humming and
thumping. These are normal – don’t worry. There is also a small fan which will keep air circulating around you.
The most important thing to do is to relax and lie still. We will make you as comfortable as possible with pillows
and wedges. Most exams will take between 45 minutes to an hour. At all times during the exam you will be able to
speak with our MRI Technologist through a microphone.
WHO CAN HAVE A SCAN
An MRI may be done on patients of all ages, however because of the strong magnetic field people who have a
PACEMAKER or ANY KIND OF METAL in their body should not have an MRI unless their physicians knows
about them. This includes metal from surgery, an old accident, a war wound or metal fragments in your eyes.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO
1. Wear loose fitting clothing without any metal on the day of your exam. We recommend you wear
jogging pants and a sweatshirt if you get cold easy. Otherwise, gym shorts and a tee shirt are fine.
Please remember do not wear clothing with metal objects or you will have to remove them.
2. Arrive 15 minutes before your exam. When you arrive park on the far side and enter at the MRI
entrance. If you need someone to come with you, please only bring one person. We also ask that you
do not bring any small children as we try to keep this area very quiet.
3. Leave all your valuables in your car or at home. This includes all jewelry (watches, rings, necklaces),
wallets, change, etc. We will have a place for you to leave your keys during the exam.
4. If the physician has ordered something to help you relax you must have a driver.
5. If you are sick or an emergency arises and you must cancel your appointment please let us know at
least 24 hours before your exam.
Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery
Associates, P.A.
134 Professional Park Drive
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Direct Line to MRI Department
(803) 328-0111
DIRECTIONS TO OUR OFFICE
From Lancaster: Take Hwy 21 into Rock Hill. Go to the 4th traffic light and turn right on Main Street. Go to the
6th traffic light and turn right on Constitution Blvd (four-lane road). At the end of Constitution Blvd, turn left on
Herlong Ave. The hospital will be on your right. Just past the hospital, turn right onto Frank Gaston Blvd. (fourlane road). Cross the railroad tracks and turn left on to Professional Park Drive, our office will be on your left.
From Charlotte I-77: Take the first exit after you cross the Catawba River bridge, exit 82B toward York. Turn
right onto Celanese Road, Hwy 161. Go to the 4th traffic light; turn left onto India Hook Road. (There will be a BP
Gas station on your right and Burger King on you left before you turn) India Hook will turn into Herlong Ave. at
the 2nd traffic light. Continue straight.
At the 3rd traffic light turn right onto Ebenezer Road. There will be a shopping center on your right and Eckerd’s
Pharmacy on your left after you turn. Approximately ¼ of a mile on your left will be Frank Gaston Blvd, a fourlane road, turn here. Go one block; turn right on to Professional Park Drive. Our office is directly on your left.
FROM CHERRY ROAD: Go past Winthrop College, will be on your left, cross the railroad tracks and turn right
at the next traffic light, Constitution Blvd. At the end of Constitution Blvd, turn left on Herlong Ave. The hospital
will be on your right. Just past the hospital, turn right onto Frank Gaston Blvd. (four-lane road). Cross the railroad
tracks and turn left on to Professional Park Drive, our office will be on your left.
Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, P.A.
134 Professional Park Drive
Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 328-0111 (direct line for MRI)
The MRI parking and entrance for MRI patients is located on the left side of our building.
Park and enter the building through the side glass door located next to the air conditioning units.
MRI
Enter here
Park here
Carolina
Orthopaedic
Surgery Associates
Professional
Park Drive
Ebenezer
Rd
Dr. Frank Gaston Blvd
Piedmont Medical
Center