A hamstring injury can involve a tear or strain to the tendons or large muscles at the back of the thigh. There are three muscles at the back of the thigh, so any of these can experience an injury that might need an MRI scan to determine its severity. MRI findings won’t necessarily be needed to determine the presence of a hamstring injury, but rather whether there is a partial or full thickness tear that needs medical attention.
A partial thickness injury will often not require surgery, but a full tear might. Your doctor may order an MRI scan to determine what the best course of action is and how you can get back to normal leg function in as short a time as possible.
How Do Hamstring Injury MRI Scans Work?
An MRI machine features a large magnet and radio waves to take images of both soft and hard tissues within the body, which in this case would be your thigh. MRIs are non-invasive so you don’t have to worry about risk factors that might come with other imaging options that use ionising radiation, and there’s no recovery period as opposed to if you were to undergo exploratory surgery.
There are three muscles in the back of your thigh so an MRI can take images of all of them at the same time, along with the surrounding ligaments and tendons. MRIs also don’t touch your muscles, which is a big plus as hamstring injuries can be quite tender.
Why Might You Need a Hamstring Injury MRI?
Your doctor might refer you to have an MRI scan on your hamstring if you have any symptoms that point to an injury. There are three grades of injury for this area, including:
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Grade 1 (mild hamstring strain): You’ll usually have sudden pain and tenderness in the back of your thigh which might make it painful to move your leg
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Grade 2 (partial hamstring tear): These are usually more painful and tender, and you might experience some bruising and swelling at the back of your thigh
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Grade 3 (severe hamstring tears): This type of injury will usually be very painful, swollen, tender, and bruised, making it difficult to put any weight on it or walk
Most hamstring strains can be treated at home, but grade 2 and 3 injuries might need medical attention. An MRI scan is often the first point of action so they can determine the best treatment plan for you.
How To Prepare for Your Hamstring Injury MRI?
Preparing for an MRI scan is usually very straightforward as there’s not much to it at all. Depending on the grade of your injury, you might be fast-tracked into your scan to get treated quickly, meaning you won’t have much time to prepare anyway.
However, if you do have time to prepare, there are a few things to remember. Firstly, the MRI machine is a huge magnet that will attract anything metal that comes near it. This means you’ll need to remove anything metal, such as jewellery, hearing aids, or piercings. While you’ll be given a small space to leave your personal items, we recommend leaving everything you can at home.
It’s also important to tell your doctor about any metal medical devices you have, including pacemakers, and any previous surgeries you’ve had before. They will look into your notes and make sure no metal pins or plates were used, as these might also affect whether an MRI scan is safe for you.
Most MRI scans won’t require you to restrict eating or drinking, but this usually differs between hospitals. Your doctor should give you a more detailed run-down of everything you need to prepare before your scan, so make sure you stick to their guidelines.
What To Expect From a Hamstring Injury MRI
During the Scan
When you get to the hospital for your scan appointment, you’ll be checked in and verified before being taken to a room where you can get changed into the clothes they give you. Here you’ll also need to remove any metal that you still have on your person, including your keys, phone, jewellery and hearing aids. These will be kept safe for you, although it’s recommended that you leave as much as possible at home.
Once you’re ready for the scan, you’ll be taken down to the scanner and asked to lie down on the bed. The technician will then position your leg properly to get the best results from the scan, and you’ll need to remain as still as possible in this position until the scan is over.
You’ll need to lie in this position for the entire scan, which might be a little uncomfortable depending on the extent of your injury. If you feel too uncomfortable to remain still, mention it to your radiologist as they might be able to reposition you or use foam blocks to hold your leg in position.
The machine can get quite loud, so you might be given some headphones to use with the music of your choice. You’ll also be able to talk to your radiologist technician in case you have any concerns, hopefully putting your mind at ease during the 45- to 60-minute scan.
After the Scan
Once the scan is complete, you’ll be helped off the table and taken to your locker where your personal belongings have been held. Most MRI scans are done as outpatient procedures, so you’ll be able to leave straight away and await your results at home.
However, depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor might want to talk to you straight away instead. You may also need to stay if you’ve been given a sedative before your scan, just until this wears off or someone arrives to drive you home.
What Are the Benefits of an MRI on your hamstring?
There are several benefits of a hamstring injury MRI, including:
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The scan takes images of a larger scope: There are multiple muscles and ligaments in your thigh, and an MRI can take pictures of all of these to give your doctor a better look at what’s going on
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It can help diagnose the grade of your injury: There are three grades of hamstring injuries, and your MRI can give your doctor a clearer image of the extent of your injuries
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MRI findings can help tailor your treatment plan: Once your doctor has had a good look at your scan, they’ll be able to tell you whether you need surgery, rehabilitation protocols, or other treatments
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They’re non-invasive and straightforward: While MRI scans are longer than most other alternatives, they don’t use any radiation or invasive procedures, making them great for tender hamstring injuries
What Are the Risks of an MRI on your hamstring?
There aren’t too many risks associated with MRI scans as they’re relatively non-invasive. However, as they use large magnetic forces to create the scan pictures, it’s important that all metal is disclosed to your doctor beforehand. Ferromagnetic objects, such as jewellery, can become dangerous projectiles when introduced into the MRI machine. It might also be able to displace implants, so it’s important that you work with your doctor to disclose anything they ask about.
MRI scans are also notorious for being uncomfortable, so you might have feelings of claustrophobia during yours. This can usually be managed by wearing headphones, but if you’re still feeling uncomfortable, your doctor might be able to give you a light sedative.
Other Common MRI Scans
Aside from hamstring MRIs, there are plenty of other scans used to assess injuries within the body. These include:
MRIs all use the same method of scanning, although some will require a contrast agent to see the internal structures more clearly. Aside from this, the only difference will be which body part is positioned within the scanner. Your doctor will advise which MRI scan is best for your symptoms.
FAQs
Why Would a Doctor Order an MRI on your hamstring?
Your doctor might order an MRI for your hamstring if you are showing signs of a grade 2 or 3 injury, as these indicate a tear rather than a strain. The scan images will be able to show your doctor things like the severity of your tear and its location, along with the surrounding structures to make sure your treatment plan is completely tailored to your injury.
How Long Does a Hamstring Injury MRI Take?
Most MRI scans take between 30 and 60 minutes, although some might be longer if you move in the machine and the images come out blurry. In these cases, MRIs can take up to 90 minutes to complete.
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