A hip MRI is the best scan for soft-tissue and early bone problems around the hip — a labral tear, avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the bone), a stress fracture, tendon problems and early arthritis. It uses no radiation, takes about 20–40 minutes, and usually needs no injection. It picks up changes an X-ray can miss, so it's often used when the X-ray is normal but pain continues.
Key takeaways
- A hip MRI is the best scan for labral tears, avascular necrosis and stress fractures.
- It uses no radiation — magnets and radio waves.
- It picks up early changes an X-ray can miss.
- It usually takes 20–40 minutes and needs no preparation.
Hip or groin pain that an X-ray can’t explain is often assessed with an MRI, because it shows soft tissue and early bone changes that plain X-rays miss.
What a hip MRI shows
MRI is very sensitive for problems around the hip, including:[1]
- a labral tear — the labrum is the cartilage rim of the hip socket;
- avascular necrosis — where part of the bone loses its blood supply (MRI detects this early, before an X-ray can);
- a stress fracture or bone bruise that doesn’t show on X-ray;
- tendon and muscle problems, bursitis, and early arthritis.
Because MRI catches changes early, it’s often ordered when the X-ray is normal but pain continues.[2] An X-ray is still best for overall bone shape and established arthritis, so both may be used.
What to expect
A hip MRI uses no radiation.[2] You lie on the table and pass into the scanner; it takes about 20–40 minutes, and you’ll need to stay still. It’s noisy (ear protection is provided), and the strong magnet means metal and implants must be screened — tell the team about any, including a hip replacement.[3]
Most hip MRIs need no injection. Occasionally an MR arthrogram (contrast injected into the joint) is used to look closely at the labrum. See how an MRI works and MRI safety for more.
Frequently asked questions
Why have a hip MRI if my X-ray was normal?
Because MRI shows soft tissue and early bone changes — like a labral tear, early avascular necrosis or a stress fracture — that an X-ray can miss. A normal X-ray with ongoing pain is a common reason for a hip MRI.[1]
Does a hip MRI use radiation?
No — it uses magnets and radio waves, not radiation.[2]
Can I have a hip MRI if I’ve had a hip replacement?
Tell the team — many modern implants are MRI-conditional, but metal can distort the images, so sometimes another scan (like CT) is better. They’ll advise based on your implant.[2]
Sources
- RadiologyInfo.org (RSNA & ACR) — Body MRI — www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/bodymr
- RANZCR / InsideRadiology — Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — www.insideradiology.com.au/mri-hp/
- healthdirect (Australia) — MRI scan — www.healthdirect.gov.au/mri-scan
