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Although MRI exams are painless and safer than an X-ray—MRI scans don’t emit radiation—they can make even the most calm, steady person a little nervous. We are here to help put your mind at ease and calm those jitters. We share exactly what to expect before, during and after your MRI scan, so you have a comfortable and pleasant experience.

First things first …

If this is your first time getting an MRI exam, don’t worry, you’ll be in good company. Nearly 40 million MRI scans are performed in the U.S. each year. Unlike other forms of imaging, MRI scans allow your doctor to see both bony and soft tissue within your body to help get a better idea of what is going on.

Did you know there are several different types of MRI scanners, as well? While you are most familiar with the donut-shaped MRI (formerly known as traditional) machine, today there are several options. You probably aren’t aware, but not every radiology facility offers each type of MRI scanner. These include:

1. Traditional MRI: A traditional MRI machine is a large tube, roughly 23.5 inches in diameter that a patient lays in.
2. Wide Bore MRI: Essentially this is the same as the traditional MRI machine, but it is a little wider—roughly 27.5 inches. The wide bore is ideal for larger patients and those who are claustrophobic.
3. Open MRI: Often described as a hamburger bun or flying saucer, the open MRI machine gives patients more visibility on either side of them to see the room and has more airflow.
4. Standing or Sitting MRI: This type of machine is typically only useful in specific circumstances, because it doesn’t provide good image quality. The machine was designed for those who can’t lay down due to an injury or physical condition or if your doctor wants a weight-bearing type scan.

What to expect before the MRI

Before you schedule your MRI appointment, tell your doctor if you suffer from claustrophobia, so they can make special accommodations if necessary. They may prescribe you an oral medication to help reduce your anxiety or send you to an imaging facility that provides IV sedation.

“This works very well, and patients tend to be more relaxed throughout the exam,” said St Jean. “If necessary, they can have a friend or spouse stay in the room with them as long as they are safely screened.”

What to expect the day of the MRI

Unless otherwise instructed, on the morning of your scan you will be able to run your morning routine as you normally would – eating breakfast and taking your usual medication.

When you arrive at the imaging center, you will be asked a series of screening questions, such as recent surgeries and medical history, to ensure your safety. The biggest precaution, however, is to ensure you don’t wear or have any metal inside of you.

“Many imaging centers require patients to change into a gown or scrubs prior to their MRI study, which are supplied at each office for safety purposes,” said St Jean. “It has been proven that several different types of clothing have metal fibers which can cause burning during the exam. To ensure their safety, patients are also expected to answer a series of safety questions regarding previous surgeries and possible metal implants, such as pacemakers, heart stents, stimulators and joint replacements prior to entering the MRI suite.”

While everyone’s experience will be different, here are some other things to note:

• Arrive early. This will give you time to fill out any additional paperwork and any other prep that might be necessary. The imaging center will usually give you a timeframe for you to arrive to allot for this.
• Change clothes. As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to remove any metal items, such as jewelry, glasses, hairpins and even underwire bras that could affect the effectiveness of the scan and your personal safety. The office will provide you a gown or scrubs to wear during the exam and a secure place to store your belongings.
• Secure a ride home. If you plan to take medication or a sedative, plan ahead of time by having someone either come with you or ask someone to pick you up once the procedure is complete.

What to expect during the exam

The first thing you should know during your exam is that your comfort is most important. Your technologist will provide you with special instructions, blankets, ear plugs and a special button or tool to communicate with them throughout the exam.

Depending on what needs to be scanned, your test will take between 20 to 90 minutes.

Here are some things to expect during the exam:

• Padded table. If using a traditional, wide bore or open MRI machine, the imaging technologist will have you lie down on a padded table that slides into the tunnel of the bore (tunnel) where the scanning will take place.
• Call button. Your technologist will give you a call button to alert them if something is wrong.
• Thumping noises. At certain times you’ll hear noises caused by the changing magnetic fields. The clunk, clunk, clunk and buzz sound can be a little stressful for some but shouldn’t be cause for concern. You’ll be given ear plugs or a sound canceling headset and can listen to music to help drown out some of the noise.
• Remain still. The key to succeeding in an MRI exam is to remain as relaxed as possible. Try to keep your body still and let your mind wander. Although deep breathing can be relaxing, it can affect the scan of your chest or abdomen. Your technologist may give you special instructions to hold your breath if one is needed.

What to expect after the MRI

Unless you’ve been given medication or a sedative, you can resume your daily activities. Once your MRI scan is complete, you’ll be escorted back to the changing area to retrieve your belongings.

If your doctor gave you any medication or sedation, DO NOT attempt to drive yourself home. Make sure you have someone who can get you home.

Takeaway

Although intimidating machines to look at, an MRI exam is nothing to be nervous about. These exams are critical tools used to give your doctor a clearer picture of what is going on inside your body and how to best provide you care.

HAMDEN, Conn. — Quinnipiac University Athletics and Connecticut Orthopaedics partnered for the 2nd year in a row to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) on Friday, Dec. 6th during the Bobcats’ men’s ice hockey contest against RPI.

The  teddy bear toss took place during the game’s second intermission, and all being donated to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Fans and employees were encouraged to bring new or recently purchased teddy bears to be thrown on to the M&T Bank Arena ice. They also had the chance to purchase a teddy to toss at the game with proceeds being donated to CCMC.

“We were delighted to sponsor this heart-warming initiative for a second year in a row and provide an opportunity in a fun way to collect teddy bears for sick children and bring a bit of joy when they may not be feeling their best, especially right before the holidays.” Susan Bader, Connecticut Orthopaedics Chief Executive Officer said. ”  We started this initiative in 2023 for two of our treasured colleagues whose son continues to bravely battle Leukemia. Our hearts and best wishes go out to all families facing the difficult journey of caring for a sick child.”

The teddy bear toss collected XXX bears and raised over $1,500 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

We are excited to announce another milestone in the evolution of medical education provided by Connecticut Orthopedics: the successful completion of its first annual orthopaedic training component of the new Rural Family Medicine Residency Program (RFMRP) of the Quinnipiac University-Netter School of Medicine. Launched in July 2024, the RFMRP represents Netter’s first family medicine residency program, with its mission in place to train medical school graduates to become family physicians with the skills necessary to thrive in rural healthcare settings. These residents spent the months of July through October learning orthopaedics and sports medicine in our offices.

Bridging Gaps in Orthopaedic Care

Rural areas often face specific healthcare challenges when it comes to providing easily available access to specialty care, and this is certainly true in the field of orthopaedics. With this in mind, and recognizing the need for their future family physicians to be comfortable with the delivery of first-line orthopaedic care for their patients, Dr. Traci Marquis, Program Director, and Dr. Stephanie Morton, Associate Program Director – reached out to Dr. Kenneth Kramer, our Director of Medical Education at Connecticut Orthopaedics who has been overseeing a comprehensive program of medical student orthopaedic education provided by our CO physicians to the Netter school in recent years. Working with Drs. Marquis and Morton, Dr. Kramer developed and supervised an orthopaedic educational program for the Netter residents, drawing upon the breadth of our capable physicians to provide them with a comprehensive exposure to outpatient orthopaedics.

Running from July through October, the curriculum saw each of the four family medicine residents spend a full immersive month at Connecticut Orthopaedics. Their schedule included daily rotations in our offices where they gained hands-on exposure to patient care in our various subspecialties, in addition to receiving didactic lectures given by our physicians. Says Dr. Kramer, “Sixteen of our partners graciously gave of their time, talent and knowledge in educating the Netter residents in the various fields of orthopaedics that will serve them well in their futures. It was enthusiastically received by both the residents and their dedicated faculty, and we look forward to our continued participation as an important component of the Netter RFMRP.”

A Collaborative Educational and Societal Effort

“This inaugural clinical partnership between CO and the QU RFMRP is more than just a curriculum”, continues Dr. Kramer, “it’s a commitment by CO to the educational needs of physicians-in-training and the communities which they will serve, as well as to the needs of such a fine medical institution as the QU-Netter School of Medicine and its students, residents, and forward-thinking faculty.” Says Dr. Marquis, “The QU Rural Family Medicine Program leadership and residents are incredibly grateful for this partnership with Connecticut Orthopaedics. A strong set of orthopaedic knowledge and skills will play a fundamental role in the residents’ future practice as community primary care doctors, and will help us fulfill our mission of increasing access to care for all, especially in rural areas.”

Congratulations to this years Top Docs

In 2023, we had 17 doctors named to the list, and this year we are proud to announce that we have 41. We are proud to have the most doctors named to Top Docs in Orthopaedics in CT. This remarkable increase is a true testament to the exceptional caliber of our doctors and their unwavering commitment to patient care.

Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.

Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.

Joint Replacement Specialists

Kenoma Anighoro, MD 

Jenna Bernstein, MD

Curtis Campbell, MD

John McCallum, MD

Philip Minotti, MD

Stephen Nelson, MD

Spine, Back, and Neck Specialists

John Beiner, MD, FAAOS, EMT/DMT

Gerard Girasole, MD

Glenn Russo, MD

James Yue, MD

Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Specialists 

Richard Bernstein, MD

Thomas Moran, MD

Kristin Sandrowski, MD

Tedd Weisman, MD 

Foot and Ankle Specialists 

David Caminear, DPM

Jeffrey DeLott, DPM

Allen Ferrucci, MD

Sanda Tomak, MD

Sports Medicine Specialists 

Stephanie Arlis-Mayor, MD, FAAFP

David Cohen, MD, FAAOS

John Daigneault, MD

Richard Diana, MD

Jordan Gruskay, MD

John Kelley, MD

Jeffrey Klauser, MD

David Martin, MD

Rowland Mayor, MD

Michael Redler, MD

Alan Reznik, MD, FAAOS

Patrick Ruwe, MD

Aaron Schachter, MD

James Spak, MD

Mark Wilchinsky, MD

Physiatry Specialists 

Isaac Cohen, MD 

Daniel Kline, MD

John Marino, MD

Pediatric Specialist

Peter DeLuca, MD

Pain Management Specialist 

Rakesh Patel, MD

Shoulder Specialist

Eric Padegimas, MD

General Orthopaedics 

Martin White, MD

Radiology Specialist

Joseph Gagliardi, MD

Click here to see 2025 Top Docs!

Join board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Dr. David Martin on Thursday May 22nd at 12 pm as he discusses common causes of knee arthritis, advantages of a uni-lateral knee replacement, and the ideal candidate for this minimally invasive procedure. Register hereOpens in a New Window or by clicking the image below.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Kelms Amoo-Achampong has accepted the role of Medical Director for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at Sacred Heart UniversityOpens in a New Window.  

In this distinguished leadership role, Dr. Amoo-Achampong will play a crucial part in supporting the MSAT Program’s mission to prepare future athletic trainers through high-quality education and clinical training.  

Dr. Amoo-Achampong will advise on the development and continuous evaluation of the MSAT curriculum, collaborate with the Program Director to ensure instructional and clinical excellence, and review medical content for clinical accuracy and relevance. He will also support accreditation processes, including self-studies and site visits, and assist in the development and maintenance of clinical site partnerships. Additionally, Dr. Amoo-Achampong will act as a key educational resource for faculty and students and support the training of clinical preceptors and experiential learning opportunities. 

His appointment reflects the high standard of care, expertise, and leadership he brings to our practice every day. We are confident that his involvement will not only strengthen the MSAT Program but also help shape the future of athletic training and sports medicine education.  

After over 30 years of dedicated service, Mark Wilchinsky, MD is retiring from our practice. While Connecticut Orthopaedics will miss Dr. Wilchinsky’s presence and leadership, we are grateful for the years of hard work and the positive influence he has had on our team. He is excited to have free time to golf with his friends, travel with his wife Viki and spend quality time with Rocky, their puggle. We would like to express our gratitude for the excellent care he has provided for thousands of patients during his illustrious career. Please join us in wishing Dr. Wilchinsky all the best in this next chapter!