Assessing Osteoarthritis Damage: MRI vs. X-Ray 

Nearly 24% of Americans have osteoarthritis. If you're among them, knowing what's going on within your joints is one of the best ways to be proactive about your health. And there's no better time than Arthritis Awareness Month in May to discuss the imaging tests that help you do that. 

At LA MRI Center, we offer MRIs in our convenient, comfortable facility in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California. We’re known for our supportive staff, fast scheduling, and the comfort of our open MRI machine that helps ease claustrophobia. 

If you're wondering whether an MRI or X-ray is better for diagnosing and monitoring osteoarthritis, here’s what you should know.

What each imaging option can reveal

Osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to your joints, particularly the cartilage, the slick coating that covers, cushions, and protects your bones. Cartilage allows the bones that make up a joint to glide smoothly and move seamlessly in unison. 

As your cartilage thins and breaks down, your joint bones come in contact more and more, until painful bone-on-bone grinding becomes disabling.

However, if your osteoarthritis is diagnosed, treated, and monitored properly, you can still enjoy an active, healthy life. That all starts with imaging. These tests help doctors evaluate the extent of your damage, but each offers different insights.

X-rays

X-rays use radiation to show your bones. They reveal bone changes of all kinds, including structural changes, narrowing of joint spaces, and bone spurs.

MRIs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to gather highly detailed pictures from within your body. MRIs are particularly effective in showing soft tissues like your tendons, muscles, and cartilage. They can reveal cartilage breakdown, inflammation, bone erosion, and other arthritis-related damage.

X-ray vs. MRI for arthritis imaging

X-rays are often the first step in osteoarthritis diagnosis. When patients visit their doctor complaining of joint pain, an X-ray can typically reveal whether osteoarthritis is the source. However, it doesn't show fine details like an MRI does.

Many doctors order MRIs when their patients have joint pain and X-rays are inconclusive. MRIs can show osteoarthritis in its early stages, long before it shows up on X-rays.

In addition, MRIs are the gold standard for more comprehensive joint evaluations. Showing your bones is only part of the story. Osteoarthritis can damage your soft tissues, including your tendons, ligaments, and synovium (joint lining). None of that damage is visible without an MRI.

Schedule your imaging today

We understand that getting an MRI can feel intimidating. That’s why we go above and beyond to make your visit comfortable. Our open MRI machine is designed to help reduce anxiety and eliminate claustrophobia. 

We also offer quick scheduling and fast turnaround times for results, so don't wait. Schedule your MRI today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.