Lumbar Spine MRI: Purpose, What It Shows, and Procedure Steps

Patients often go to the doctor because of pain in their lower back. If conservative treatments like rest or physical therapy don’t work, your doctor may order an MRI of your lumbar spine. An X-ray only shows bones, but a lumbar MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to make detailed 3D images of your soft tissues, spinal cord, and nerves so that it can find the exact cause of your pain.

MRI scans of the lower back are used in order to diagnose certain diseases. Your physician may recommend getting an MRI if you experience the following symptoms:

• Lower back pain extending into the legs (sciatica).
• Numbness or tingling in your feet.
• Sudden onset of lower back pain coupled with fever.
• Urinary or fecal incontinence.
• Severe lower back pain following trauma to your spine.

This particular scan concentrates on the five lumbar vertebrae (L1 through L5), the coccyx bone, and other neighboring structures. The following features will be examined by the radiologist in detail using the highly advanced imaging technology:

• Slipped Discs (Herniated/Bulging Discs): Discs that have moved out of their position and are exerting pressure on the nerves.
• Spinal Stenosis: Spinal canal becoming narrow.
• Compression of Nerves: Nerve compression resulting in radiating pain.
• Inflammation/Infection: Conditions involving the spinal cord and vertebrae.
• Tumors: Abnormal growths on or around the spinal column.

Getting ready for an MRI of the lower back is easy, but it requires strict compliance with safety rules because of the strong magnets in the MRI machine:

• Clothing: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with absolutely no metal components.
• Metal Objects: Take off all jewelry, watches, hearing devices, and body ornaments.
• Medical Implants: Let the technician know if you have a pacemaker or any other metal in your body.
• Fasting: You do not need to fast before your MRI unless specifically instructed by your doctor.

Lumbar MRI scanning is totally pain-free and takes from 30 to 60 minutes. The process entails the following steps:

• You will lie flat in a motorized table and the table will be moved inside the MRI scanning machine.
• During the procedure, you will hear loud sounds like tapping and humming. Earplugs or headphones will be supplied for you.
• It is extremely important that you stay very still to get high-quality scans.
• In case you have problems with claustrophobia, you should let your physician know before the procedure and he/she will give you anti-anxiety pills. Our professionals will keep you informed during the procedure via a two-way intercom system.

After completion of your scanning procedure, an expert radiologist will analyze your scans. This analysis is then documented in a comprehensive report that is delivered to your primary care physician who referred you for scanning. This is usually done within 1-2 business days. Your physician will then read the report to you and explain your options for treatment.

At Sunset Hills Imaging, we provide precise, reliable results using state-of-the-art MRI technology. We offer affordable $399 non-contrast lumbar MRIs with fast, flexible scheduling so you can get the answers you need without the long wait times of a major hospital.