MRI Scan of the Hips and Pelvis: What to Know

A clinician may request this scan to investigate persistent pain, injury, swelling, changes around a joint, or an area seen on another examination. The images can help distinguish soft-tissue changes from bone or joint problems and can support planning for a biopsy when a mass needs tissue diagnosis. An unexpected finding does not by itself identify cancer.

Tell the centre about metal fragments, implants, a pacemaker, kidney disease, allergies, or pregnancy. Remove metal objects and follow any instructions about food, fluids, or clothing. You will lie on a table that moves into the MRI scanner; keeping still helps prevent blurred images. The machine can be noisy, so ear protection is offered. Contrast may be suggested when it could make tissues easier to assess.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden inability to walk, new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, severe rapidly worsening pain, or fever with a hot swollen joint. Do not wait for a routine scan if these symptoms develop.

Ask which body areas will be covered, whether contrast is needed, when the report will be available, and what examination or biopsy would follow if the images show an area needing clarification.