Doctors can use MRI to examine a person’s lower spine, lumbar region, and surrounding tissues. MRI of the spine can show spinal alignment, lumbar disk herniation, inflammation, and more.

MRI is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed images of the inside of a body.

The technology is safe because it does not use ionizing radiation, which can kill or damage cells, and a person cannot feel the magnetic field or the radio waves. However, there may be some things to consider before going ahead.

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Lower back pain is a commonTrusted Source reason for outpatient hospital visits, clinics, or other healthcare facilities.

Medical professionals perform lumbar MRIs for various reasons. If someone is experiencing pain in their lower back, a doctor may recommend a lumbar MRI scan to help diagnose the source of the pain.

Doctors may recommend an MRI to look for issues such as:

  • Lower back pain: This can result from muscle strain, joint damage, or other reasons.
  • Sciatica: Sciatica causes acute pain and results from irritation to a nerve root, possibly due to inflammation or structural changes.
  • Claudication: Claudication can lead to mobility problems and dull pain or aching in the lower limbs. Claudication can be vascular, affecting the blood vessels, or neurogenic, involving the nerves.

A doctor may also order a lumbar MRI for an individual about to undergo back surgery. In this case, the surgical team uses the results of the lumbar MRI to help plan the operation.

A lumbar MRI is a powerful diagnostic tool that doctors may use to:

  • check spinal alignment
  • detect abnormalities of vertebrae or the spinal cord
  • check for a lumbar disk herniation, which can lead to leg pain
  • evaluate any inflammation of the spinal cord or nerves
  • check for tumors on or around the spinal cord
  • monitor damage to the spine after an injury
  • monitor the spine after an operation
  • explore different causes of back pain

A doctor may carry out a lumbar MRI for:

  • sudden back pain that occurs alongside fever
  • injury or trauma
  • sudden back pain with spinal tenderness, possibly linked to cancer, osteoporosis, or steroid use
  • bowel or bladder incontinence
  • a serious underlying condition, such as cancer

A lumbar MRI can indicate the reason a person is experiencing back, leg, or other type of pain.

It can show signs of:

  • a congenital or developmental variant, a feature that a person has developed or had since birth
  • degenerative changes, such as a herniated disk or disk that has broken down, called an annular fissure
  • inflammation or infection
  • a benign or malignant tumor
  • central vertebral canal stenosis, in which a narrowing occurs that leads to nerve compression in the spine
  • ankylosing spondylitis, which may involve inflammation and changes in the shape of the spine
  • spondylolisthesis, where a vertebra slips out of place, affecting spinal alignment
  • other changes, such as an abscess

If the image is normal, there is no need for action.

However, an MRI may not always show that a person has a specific problem and may need further tests. In addition, there is a possibility of a false-positive result, where a scan suggests that a problem is present when it is not.

An MRI scan usually takes 15–90 minutes. This will depend on where a person has the scan and which images they take.

Individuals are usually free to go home after the MRI scan and continue their daily routine.

If they have had a sedative to help them relax during the procedure, they might need someone to pick them up from the hospital or clinic.

After the examination, a radiologist interprets the results and writes a report to send to the person’s doctor. The doctor then shares the findings with the individual and adds the MRI results to the person’s medical file.

Although this may vary, people can expect their MRI results within a week or two after the examination.

Before an MRI, a person can usually eat, drink, and take their medication as usual unless a doctor has specified otherwise. However, it is essential for an individual to inform the doctor if they:

  • have any metal implants, such as a pacemaker or a hip or knee replacement
  • might be pregnant
  • have a history of allergic reactions, which is important if the scan requires the use of a contrast dye

Metal objects can affect the safety and effectiveness of an MRI scan. Before the examination begins, the MRI technician will ask the person to remove any metal items they are wearing, such as:

  • jewelry
  • watches
  • body piercings
  • dentures
  • debris from trauma

The person must also remove their clothing and wear a hospital gown for a lumbar MRI. The technician may also ask the person to complete a medical questionnaire and sign a consent form.

An MRI involves lying down inside a windowless chamber for an extended period, and therefore, people who experience claustrophobia may find the procedure uncomfortable or even frightening. If this is the case, the doctor may prescribe antianxiety medication or a sedative to help the person relax during the scan.

The MRI machine resembles a giant doughnut. A radiologist or MRI technician asks an individual to lie on a table that slides into the machine’s opening.

If a technician performs the MRI, they will do so under the direction of a radiologist, a specialist in X-rays and radiation processes.

They will maintain verbal contact with the person they are examining through a microphone.

Contrast dye

MRI technicians sometimes use gadolinium, a contrast dye, to gain a clearer image.

They will inject the contrast dye before the scan through an intravenous line into a vein in either the person’s hand or arm.

How an MRI works during a scan

The MRI machine uses a strong magnetic field that aligns and stimulates particles called protons in the body, forcing them to spin out of alignment.

When the technician halts the magnetic field, the protons spin normally. As they do this, they give off energy that the MRI machine detects. The MRI machine records this information, and a computer processes the data to create a detailed image of the body area.

Other tips

Other things to expect are the following:

  • To produce high quality images, a person needs to stay still during the scan. A radiologist or technician will ensure the person is comfortable before starting.
  • The machine can be very loud, and the radiologist or technician usually gives the individual earplugs or headphones to wear.
  • A two-way communication system will allow the person to speak with the radiologist or technician at intervals during the scan.

Although doctors consider an MRI scan a very safe procedure, there are some safety concerns to remember.

The strong magnetic field inside the machine will attract metal objects, such as jewelry. If these objects are too close to the scanner, the magnetic field may cause them to move quickly. This could damage the scanner or even injure the person undergoing the scan. This is why removing any metal objects before the examination begins is essential.

There are risksTrusted Source for people who have metal implants, such as pacemakers or surgically implanted pins. Again, because the MRI machine emits a strong magnetic field, it can cause metal implants inside the body to move.

However, having a metal implant does not always prevent a person from having an MRI scan. Doctors will assess the risk on an individual basis.

Due to the strength of the magnetic field, the MRI machine may create a repetitive tapping or thumping noise. This may adversely affect a person’s hearing if they do not wear proper ear protection.

Side effects from MRI scans are rare, but they can happen. Some side effects from MRIs includeTrusted Source:

On rare occasions, people may experience side effects from the contrast dye, such as:

  • pain at the site of injection
  • nausea
  • a headache
  • itchy or irritated eyes
  • hives, which is a bumpy and intensely itchy rash

Contrast dye is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. However, anyone who has concerns should seek guidance from a doctor.

The cost of a lumbar MRI can vary widely, depending on various factors, such as:

  • where the treatment takes place
  • the extent of the area that needs scanning
  • whether the scan involves a contrast dye
  • whether a person needs sedation to help them stay still

In some cases, insurance may cover all or part of the cost.

Why would a doctor order a lumbar MRI?

A doctor may order a lumbar MRI to examine the spinal area and any underlying conditions.

What will a lower lumbar MRI show?

A lumbar MRI may show various conditions that affect the lower back and the rest of the body, such as inflammation or a tumor.

Does lumbar spine MRI show tumors?

Yes, a lumbar spine MRI will show benign or malignant tumors on the lower back.

Is it worth getting an MRI for lower back pain?

Carrying out a lumbar MRI too early could lead to unnecessary costs and anxiety. Patients usually will get an X-ray first. However, speaking with a doctor and voicing concerns can help a person decide whether to get an MRI for lower back pain.

A lumbar MRI is a noninvasive procedure that doctors use to help diagnose lower back pain, plan back surgery, or monitor progressive medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

The procedure is painless, with few side effects or risks.

Lumbar MRIs are outpatient procedures, so the person is usually free to leave the hospital or clinic after the examination.