OBJECTIVE: To prospectively document musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging 
(MRI) use and how it affects diagnosis, playing status, and treatment of 
Division I university athletes. We hypothesized that MRI often has little or no 
effect on the diagnosis or treatment plan.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Division I university sports medicine program.
PATIENTS: Division I university varsity athletes.
INTERVENTIONS: Data were collected of musculoskeletal MRI use in varsity student 
athletes for 2 full academic years from 2010 to 2012 at a National Collegiate 
Athletic Association Division I institution.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Timing of the injury, first physician visit, and MRI and 
pre- and post-MRI diagnosis, playing status, and treatment (surgical vs 
nonsurgical).
RESULTS: Eighty-six MRIs were obtained during the 2 years studied. Average age 
was 19.9 (18-23) years. Forty-five percent of injuries occurred during 
competition season, 34% occurred preseason, and 21% occurred postseason. There 
was a change in diagnosis in 13 athletes (15.1%, 1 led to surgery performed 
after completion of the season), and there was a change in participation status 
in 8 athletes (9.3%, 5 increased and 3 decreased). Treatment plan changed in 1 
athlete (1.2%). No athlete required surgery immediately after an MRI that was 
not already being planned. Every athlete treated nonsurgically pre-MRI was able 
to finish their season.
CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 14% of athletes and did 
not demonstrate a clear benefit over history, examination, and radiographs. 
Magnetic resonance imaging did change diagnosis in 15% of cases, though it did 
not appreciably change the playing status or treatment plan.