Can I have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan with a metal plate in my wrist?

MRI Safety with a Metal Plate in the Wrist

Yes, you can safely have an MRI with a metal plate in your wrist, as most modern orthopedic implants are made of non-ferromagnetic materials like titanium alloy that pose minimal risk during MRI procedures.

Safety Considerations for Metal Implants in MRI

Material Composition

• Most modern orthopedic plates and screws are made of either:
  • Titanium alloy - produces minimal deflection (average 4.3°) and minimal heating (0.48°C) 1
  • Stainless steel - slightly higher deflection (average 7.7°) and heating (0.74°C), but still within safe limits 1

Time Since Implantation

• For optimal safety, the implant should be well-fixed in the bone
• Generally, 6 weeks post-surgery is considered adequate time for tissue growth to provide additional retention force 2

MRI Artifact Considerations

While safety is rarely a concern, metal plates will produce artifacts (image distortions) that may affect image quality:

• Artifacts are variable and depend on:
  • Type and amount of metal in the implant 2
  • MRI sequence used (DWI sequences produce largest artifacts, FSE sequences produce smallest) 1
  • Scanning parameters (artifacts increase with longer echo train length and bigger FOV, decrease with larger bandwidth) 1

Location-Specific Considerations

• Wrist implants are typically small and well-fixed, making them less concerning than larger or more mobile implants
• The American College of Radiology notes that CT arthrography may be appropriate when "metallic implants produce too much artifact on MRI" 3

Recommendations for Patients with Wrist Implants

1. Inform your healthcare provider and MRI technologist about your wrist implant before scheduling the MRI
2. Provide details about your implant if possible (material type, when it was placed)
3. Consider the purpose of the MRI:
   • If the MRI is focused on the wrist itself, artifacts may limit diagnostic value
   • If the MRI is for another body part, the wrist implant is unlikely to interfere

Alternative Imaging Options

If artifacts from the metal plate would interfere with diagnosis:

• CT scan - higher sensitivity for detection of radiopaque foreign bodies and bone details 3
• Ultrasound - useful for examining extra-articular soft tissues 3
• CT arthrography - may be more appropriate when "metallic implants produce too much artifact on MRI" 3

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don't assume all metal is unsafe - 75% of tested metallic implants were found to be either non-ferromagnetic or exhibited only minimal deflection 4
• Don't remove well-fixed implants unnecessarily - most modern orthopedic implants are MRI-compatible 1
• Don't ignore the purpose of the scan - if the area of interest is far from the wrist, artifacts may not affect diagnostic quality

In summary, most patients with metal plates in their wrists can safely undergo MRI examinations, though image quality directly around the implant may be compromised by artifacts.