Preparing for Your MRI
At New Mexico Orthopaedics Surgery Center (NMOSC)
Medical Precautions
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (or MRI) produces detailed cross-sectional images of most parts of the body, using two naturally occurring forces to generate the images – magnetic fields and radio waves.
The arthrogram procedure, which takes place prior to the MRI scan, involves the administration of a contrast agent to enable better visualization of the joint structure. The contrast is administered under x-ray, with fluoroscopic guidance.
If you have any questions regarding your pre-anesthesia screening, you can call NMOSC at: (505) 724-4395.
Your physician’s Medical Assistant will either call you the day before your surgery with your arrival time, or communicate this to you during your pre-op appointment. We finalize the schedule the day prior to accommodate specific patient needs, such as children going first, diabetic patients going early in the
morning to limit the negative effects of fasting, or placing patients with potential infections at the end of the day for room sterilization purposes.
NMOSC may require various specialty clearances. If so, these must be provided to your physician’s office at New Mexico Orthopaedics prior to your surgery.
Medical Precautions
- If you are sick or on any antibiotics, please let us know as soon as possible!
- If you are taking Coumadin, Plavix, or Aggrenox (blood thinners), arrange with your prescribing physician to stop taking the medication 5 – 7 days before your MR Arthrography appointment. If you are taking, Coumadin, NMOSC will perform a test called an INR prior to the injection to assure your blood level is in range.
- If you are taking aspirin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin, Aleve, or Naprosyn, stop taking it 3 days before your appointment, with your prescribing physician’s approval.
- If you take medication for high blood pressure, please do NOT miss a dose, take as prescribed. If your blood pressure is 180/100 or above, you will be rescheduled.
- If you are diabetic, please continue to take your insulin as needed. If your blood sugar levels are 200 or higher at the time of your appointment, you will be rescheduled.
- If your doctor has prescribed valium for you to take during your MRI, you will need to arrive one hour before the check-in time listed above. Do NOT take your Valium until the NMOSC nurse has instructed you to do so. If you have taken the Valium prior to arriving, your appointment will be rescheduled.
- Do not skip meals unless you have arranged with your physician to be sedated during this procedure. You will feel better if you eat a light meal. If the procedure will be performed under IV Sedation, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure (this includes water).
General Information
- You are not to drive home following your MRI Arthrogram – you will need a responsible adult, 18 years or older, to accompany you home. If you do not have a responsible adult with you, your appointment will be rescheduled.
- You must bring a list of all current medications, a photo ID, and your insurance card. Without these items, your injection will be rescheduled.
- You will need to check-in with NMOSC for your injection first. They are located, on the 7th floor.
- You should plan on your appointment taking at least two hours (for both the injection and the MRI).
- You need to take it easy for at least 24 hours after the injection.
Additional
Information
Contact & Billing
How to Contact Us
If you have questions after your surgery, you can contact your care team directly. However, they may be seeing other patients, so you may need to contact our main number to have a message sent to them. If you have an emergency after hours pertaining to your surgery, please call your physician’s office at New Mexico Orthopaedics – (505) 724-4300 and follow the prompts to speak with the physician on call.
Billing Information
Three companies are involved in your surgery: NMOSC (the facility), New Mexico Orthopaedics (the physician), and Anesthesia Associates (the Anesthesiologist). Due to this, you will likely receive 3 separate bills. NMOSC will contact you prior to your surgery to collect your out of pocket expense. If you have any questions regarding these bills, below are the contact numbers for each company:
- NMOSC (505) 724-4395, option 1
- New Mexico Orthopaedics (505) 224-8222
- Anesthesia Associates (505) 260-4343
Disclaimer
NMOSC is owned in part by physicians who are members of New Mexico Orthopaedics, which may include your physician. Consequently, your physician may have a financial interest in NMOSC. You have the right to choose an alternative source of service. Should you desire to do so, please contact your physician’s office and ask for a list of sites where he/she has privileges to practice.