I Hurt My Neck. Do I Need an MRI?

Neck injuries are frustrating. It’s not just the discomfort; it’s the uncertainty of not knowing what’s wrong or how to fix it. You shouldn’t have to live with the pain or the questions. A neck MRI offers solutions.

After you hurt your neck, finding help shoots to the top of your priority list. It’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment before your injury interferes with your daily life.

You might wonder if your neck injury is minor or if you need advanced imaging, like a neck MRI, to uncover the cause. Whether you need a neck MRI depends on your symptoms and doctor’s recommendations.

At LA MRI Center Inc. in Los Angeles, California, we provide precise neck MRIs using the most advanced imaging technology available. Our state-of-the-art open MRI ensures a comfortable and anxiety-free experience while delivering highly accurate results.

Many doctors in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas send their patients to our Koreatown facility for fast and accurate MRIs. Read on to learn what a neck MRI does and whether you need one.

What is a neck MRI?

A neck MRI is a powerful, noninvasive tool for diagnosing neck pain and related issues. It uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of your cervical (upper) spine.

A neck MRI provides a detailed view of the soft tissues in the area, including the discs between your vertebrae, nerves, muscles, and other connective tissues. Although MRIs do show bones and can help diagnose problems like fractures, you might also need an X-ray if your doctor suspects a complex bone injury.

Your referring doctor can use the highly detailed MRI images to pinpoint the source of your pain or dysfunction and tailor your treatment plan based on that.

Common reasons for a neck MRI

Your doctor may recommend a neck MRI if you have:

An undetermined injury
Symptoms that don't improve as expected
Nerve-related issues like neck tingling, numbness, and weakness

A neck MRI can identify most types of neck injuries, including damage to your discs, compression fractures, and ligament tears. In addition, a neck MRI can identify non-injury causes of neck pain, such as arthritis, scoliosis, infections, and tumors.

Your doctor may also order a neck MRI for pre-surgical planning or to evaluate the effectiveness of a previous neck surgery.

Schedule your neck MRI today

If you’re dealing with a neck injury, an MRI can provide the answers you need to move forward with effective treatment.

At LA MRI Center Inc., we use the Hitachi Airis II open MRI for maximum comfort and convenience. Our open MRI eliminates the confining feeling of traditional MRIs while reducing noise and providing exceptional imaging precision.

We offer free parking, and our office is centrally located in Koreatown. Schedule your MRI today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.