Upright MRI vs. Traditional MRI

How positioning, comfort, and the type of symptoms being evaluated can influence which MRI your doctor recommends.

If your doctor recommends an MRI, you may assume that means lying flat inside a traditional scanner. That is still the most familiar setup, but it is not the only option.

An upright MRI can allow certain exams to be performed while you are seated, standing, or positioned in another way. Both upright and traditional MRI use magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images, and neither uses ionizing radiation. The biggest difference is how you are positioned during the exam.

For some patients, that difference can matter quite a bit.

What Is a Traditional MRI?

A traditional MRI is usually performed while you lie flat on a table that moves into the scanner.

This type of MRI is widely used because it can produce detailed images of many parts of the body, including the brain, spine, joints, muscles, and other soft tissues.

You need to remain still while the images are being taken, and the scanner makes knocking or tapping sounds during the exam.

For many people, this setup works well. Others may find lying flat uncomfortable or may feel uneasy in a more enclosed scanner.

What Is an Upright MRI?

An upright MRI uses the same basic MRI technology, but the design allows more flexibility in how you are positioned.

Depending on the exam and your provider’s order, you may be scanned while seated, standing, or in another position that better reflects how your symptoms occur.

This can be helpful when pain or other symptoms change with posture, movement, or weight-bearing.

Why Can Positioning Matter?

Some symptoms feel different when you are lying down than when you are sitting or standing.

Back pain, neck pain, joint discomfort, or nerve-related symptoms may become more noticeable in certain positions. In those cases, upright imaging may give your doctor another way to look at the area while your body is under conditions that more closely resemble everyday activity.

That does not mean upright imaging will always reveal something a traditional MRI would miss. Its usefulness depends on what your provider is trying to evaluate.

Is Upright MRI More Comfortable?

For some patients, yes. An upright MRI may feel easier to tolerate if you:

• Feel anxious or claustrophobic in enclosed scanners
• Have trouble lying flat for an extended period
• Experience pain in certain positions
• Have mobility limitations that make traditional positioning difficult

The more open design can make the experience feel less restrictive for some people. Comfort is only one part of the decision, though. Your provider also needs to consider which type of exam will give the most useful images for your situation.

What Kinds of Problems Can Upright MRI Help Evaluate?

Depending on the clinical question, upright MRI may be used to look at areas such as the spine, neck, hips, knees, or other joints.

A provider may consider it for concerns involving:

• Back or neck pain
• Disc problems
• Nerve compression symptoms
• Joint pain
• Changes in spinal alignment
• Symptoms that worsen when standing, sitting, or bending

ImageCare notes that upright MRI may be especially useful when symptoms are affected by posture or weight-bearing.

Is Upright MRI Better Than Traditional MRI?

Not in every situation.

Traditional MRI remains an important imaging option and may be preferred for certain exams depending on the body part, the level of detail needed, and the specific question being investigated.

Your provider may choose between upright and traditional MRI based on:

• The area being examined
• The symptoms you are having
• Whether those symptoms change with position
• Your comfort and mobility needs
• The type of images needed for the exam

The goal is to choose the exam that provides the most useful information for your care.

Do Both Types of MRI Use Radiation?

No. Neither upright MRI nor traditional MRI uses ionizing radiation. Both rely on a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create images. Because of the magnetic field, MRI requires careful safety screening before the exam.

You should tell the imaging team if you have:

• A pacemaker or other implanted medical device
• Surgical clips or hardware
• Artificial joints
• Metal fragments in your body
• A history of metal-related injury
• Any possibility of pregnancy

The team will determine whether the device or implant is compatible with the MRI system and whether any additional precautions are needed.

What Should You Expect During an Upright MRI?

Before the exam begins, the technologist will explain the process and help position you for the images your provider requested.

You may be seated, standing, or asked to hold a certain position during the scan. You will need to remain still while each set of images is being taken. As with traditional MRI, you may hear tapping or knocking sounds from the scanner.

MRI itself is painless, although holding a position can sometimes be uncomfortable if you are already dealing with pain. Let the technologist know if you are having difficulty so they can help you through the exam.

What Happens After the Exam?

Once the images are complete, a radiologist reviews them and prepares a report for your referring provider.

Your provider then considers the MRI findings together with your symptoms, medical history, physical exam, and any other testing.

The scan is one part of the larger process of understanding what may be causing your symptoms.

Upright MRI in Brunswick, NJ

If your provider recommends an upright MRI in Brunswick, NJ, ImageCare Radiology offers upright MRI services at its East Brunswick Stand-Up MRI location.

The more open design and flexible positioning options can be helpful for patients who have difficulty lying flat, feel uncomfortable in enclosed scanners, or have symptoms that change with posture or weight-bearing.

Choosing the MRI That Fits the Question

Upright and traditional MRI use the same general imaging technology, but the way your body is positioned can change the experience and, in some cases, the information your provider wants to gather.

If your symptoms change when you sit, stand, or bear weight, upright MRI may offer a useful perspective. If another type of positioning or image detail is more important, a traditional MRI may be the better fit.

Your provider can explain why a particular MRI was recommended and how it fits into the evaluation of your symptoms.