<\/p>\n\n
When might MRI be used?<\/h2>\n\n\n- When lameness has been localised to a region but initial imaging (radiography\/ultrasound) is inconclusive (most commonly for investigation of foot lameness)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Following trauma, to assess the structures involved (e.g. penetrating foot injuries)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To further characterise lesions identified on other imaging modalities (common when soft tissues are involved)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To monitor lesion progression and response to treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What it shows well<\/h2>\n\n\n- Soft tissues: identification of lesions and characterisation of their severity and activity (tendons, ligaments and supporting structures)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bone: structural changes (e.g. sclerosis, resorption\/lysis, fractures) and bone oedema-like signal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Joints: assessment of joint structures, including synovial components; cartilage evaluation may be possible depending on the system<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries where multiple tissue types are involved, MRI helps build a complete picture of the problem area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What it doesn’t show well<\/h2>\n\n\n- Whole\u2011horse coverage; it\u2019s targeted to the problem area<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cartilage assessment can be limited and not always possible \u2013 cartilage is a difficult thing to assess with all imaging modalities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fibre pattern of tendon lesions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hoof capsule and solar bruising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What to expect from MRI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nStanding low field MRI allows scanning the lower limb under mild sedation. However, high field systems (often used for heads or higher limb regions) may require general anaesthesia, depending on the centre. Standing MRI is safe and effective with just mild sedation and has been proved diagnostic in over 90% of lameness cases [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of system used, MRI commonly takes longer than other imaging methods (X-ray or ultrasound). Careful examination to localise the suspected problem area before performing MRI is advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This MRI image clearly shows where a rusty nail had penetrated deep into the horse’s foot. The green arrows show artefact (or distortion) from metal fragments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find your nearest standing MRI centre here >><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/talklameness.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sagittal-MR-image-showing-artifact.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Where it fits into the bigger picture<\/h2>\n\n
MRI is often the advanced test of choice once lameness is localised, but not explained by first\u2011line imaging such as X-ray and ultrasound. MRI is especially for structures inside the hoof capsule and now \u2013 with advances in technology \u2013 standing MRI can scan higher up the limb to aid a definitive diagnosis in cases that were once deemed too tricky. With standing MRI making such a difference to the outcome, you have to ask “Why don’t more horse owners think of MRI for lameness?<\/a>“. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
The bottom line is, lack of awareness. So, the more you know, the more likely you are to ask for what you want. Just as Ellie did… <\/p>\n\n
Find out how imaging with standing MRI made the difference to Berkeley as owner Ellie shares her lameness story. No spoiler alerts here but – to quote Ellie: <\/p>\n\n
\nI got the MRI results in less than 24 hours and had the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie Woznica<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
What it shows well<\/h2>\n\n\n- Soft tissues: identification of lesions and characterisation of their severity and activity (tendons, ligaments and supporting structures)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bone: structural changes (e.g. sclerosis, resorption\/lysis, fractures) and bone oedema-like signal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Joints: assessment of joint structures, including synovial components; cartilage evaluation may be possible depending on the system<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Injuries where multiple tissue types are involved, MRI helps build a complete picture of the problem area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What it doesn’t show well<\/h2>\n\n\n- Whole\u2011horse coverage; it\u2019s targeted to the problem area<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cartilage assessment can be limited and not always possible \u2013 cartilage is a difficult thing to assess with all imaging modalities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fibre pattern of tendon lesions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hoof capsule and solar bruising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What to expect from MRI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nStanding low field MRI allows scanning the lower limb under mild sedation. However, high field systems (often used for heads or higher limb regions) may require general anaesthesia, depending on the centre. Standing MRI is safe and effective with just mild sedation and has been proved diagnostic in over 90% of lameness cases [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of system used, MRI commonly takes longer than other imaging methods (X-ray or ultrasound). Careful examination to localise the suspected problem area before performing MRI is advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This MRI image clearly shows where a rusty nail had penetrated deep into the horse’s foot. The green arrows show artefact (or distortion) from metal fragments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find your nearest standing MRI centre here >><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Where it fits into the bigger picture<\/h2>\n\n
MRI is often the advanced test of choice once lameness is localised, but not explained by first\u2011line imaging such as X-ray and ultrasound. MRI is especially for structures inside the hoof capsule and now \u2013 with advances in technology \u2013 standing MRI can scan higher up the limb to aid a definitive diagnosis in cases that were once deemed too tricky. With standing MRI making such a difference to the outcome, you have to ask “Why don’t more horse owners think of MRI for lameness?<\/a>“. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
The bottom line is, lack of awareness. So, the more you know, the more likely you are to ask for what you want. Just as Ellie did… <\/p>\n\n
Find out how imaging with standing MRI made the difference to Berkeley as owner Ellie shares her lameness story. No spoiler alerts here but – to quote Ellie: <\/p>\n\n
\nI got the MRI results in less than 24 hours and had the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie Woznica<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
What it doesn’t show well<\/h2>\n\n\n- Whole\u2011horse coverage; it\u2019s targeted to the problem area<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cartilage assessment can be limited and not always possible \u2013 cartilage is a difficult thing to assess with all imaging modalities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fibre pattern of tendon lesions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hoof capsule and solar bruising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What to expect from MRI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nStanding low field MRI allows scanning the lower limb under mild sedation. However, high field systems (often used for heads or higher limb regions) may require general anaesthesia, depending on the centre. Standing MRI is safe and effective with just mild sedation and has been proved diagnostic in over 90% of lameness cases [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of system used, MRI commonly takes longer than other imaging methods (X-ray or ultrasound). Careful examination to localise the suspected problem area before performing MRI is advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This MRI image clearly shows where a rusty nail had penetrated deep into the horse’s foot. The green arrows show artefact (or distortion) from metal fragments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find your nearest standing MRI centre here >><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Where it fits into the bigger picture<\/h2>\n\n
MRI is often the advanced test of choice once lameness is localised, but not explained by first\u2011line imaging such as X-ray and ultrasound. MRI is especially for structures inside the hoof capsule and now \u2013 with advances in technology \u2013 standing MRI can scan higher up the limb to aid a definitive diagnosis in cases that were once deemed too tricky. With standing MRI making such a difference to the outcome, you have to ask “Why don’t more horse owners think of MRI for lameness?<\/a>“. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
The bottom line is, lack of awareness. So, the more you know, the more likely you are to ask for what you want. Just as Ellie did… <\/p>\n\n
Find out how imaging with standing MRI made the difference to Berkeley as owner Ellie shares her lameness story. No spoiler alerts here but – to quote Ellie: <\/p>\n\n
\nI got the MRI results in less than 24 hours and had the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie Woznica<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
What to expect from MRI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nStanding low field MRI allows scanning the lower limb under mild sedation. However, high field systems (often used for heads or higher limb regions) may require general anaesthesia, depending on the centre. Standing MRI is safe and effective with just mild sedation and has been proved diagnostic in over 90% of lameness cases [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of system used, MRI commonly takes longer than other imaging methods (X-ray or ultrasound). Careful examination to localise the suspected problem area before performing MRI is advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This MRI image clearly shows where a rusty nail had penetrated deep into the horse’s foot. The green arrows show artefact (or distortion) from metal fragments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find your nearest standing MRI centre here >><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Where it fits into the bigger picture<\/h2>\n\n
MRI is often the advanced test of choice once lameness is localised, but not explained by first\u2011line imaging such as X-ray and ultrasound. MRI is especially for structures inside the hoof capsule and now \u2013 with advances in technology \u2013 standing MRI can scan higher up the limb to aid a definitive diagnosis in cases that were once deemed too tricky. With standing MRI making such a difference to the outcome, you have to ask “Why don’t more horse owners think of MRI for lameness?<\/a>“. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
The bottom line is, lack of awareness. So, the more you know, the more likely you are to ask for what you want. Just as Ellie did… <\/p>\n\n
Find out how imaging with standing MRI made the difference to Berkeley as owner Ellie shares her lameness story. No spoiler alerts here but – to quote Ellie: <\/p>\n\n
\nI got the MRI results in less than 24 hours and had the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie Woznica<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Standing low field MRI allows scanning the lower limb under mild sedation. However, high field systems (often used for heads or higher limb regions) may require general anaesthesia, depending on the centre. Standing MRI is safe and effective with just mild sedation and has been proved diagnostic in over 90% of lameness cases [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of system used, MRI commonly takes longer than other imaging methods (X-ray or ultrasound). Careful examination to localise the suspected problem area before performing MRI is advised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This MRI image clearly shows where a rusty nail had penetrated deep into the horse’s foot. The green arrows show artefact (or distortion) from metal fragments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find your nearest standing MRI centre here >><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n MRI is often the advanced test of choice once lameness is localised, but not explained by first\u2011line imaging such as X-ray and ultrasound. MRI is especially for structures inside the hoof capsule and now \u2013 with advances in technology \u2013 standing MRI can scan higher up the limb to aid a definitive diagnosis in cases that were once deemed too tricky. With standing MRI making such a difference to the outcome, you have to ask “Why don’t more horse owners think of MRI for lameness?<\/a>“. <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n The bottom line is, lack of awareness. So, the more you know, the more likely you are to ask for what you want. Just as Ellie did… <\/p>\n\n Find out how imaging with standing MRI made the difference to Berkeley as owner Ellie shares her lameness story. No spoiler alerts here but – to quote Ellie: <\/p>\n\n I got the MRI results in less than 24 hours and had the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellie Woznica<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWhere it fits into the bigger picture<\/h2>\n\n
\n