Shoulder MRI Scan

What is a Shoulder MRI Scan?

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan makes use of a combination of radio waves and magnets to capture images of the inside of the body. No surgical incision is necessary and it can be performed on any part of the body. Unlike X-ray or CT scans which only take pictures of your bones, an MRI scan allows you to see all the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and blood vessels of the body.

A shoulder MRI scan is a non-invasive medical exam that allows physicians to assess pain and injuries in the shoulder joint. It allows a doctor to view in detail the bones, rotator cuff, biceps tendon, labrum, AC joint, joint capsule, and cartilages. By inspecting various images of the shoulder capturing during the shoulder MRI scan, a doctor will be able to see if there are injuries or damages which may require further attention.

MRI imaging of the shoulder is typically performed to diagnose:

• Degenerative joint disorders such as labral tears
• Arthritis
• Fractures which are hard to see on X-rays
• Dislocation of the shoulder joint
• Rotator cuff tear and impingement
• Joint abnormalities due to trauma
• Infections (such as osteomyelitis)
• Tumors in the bones and joints
• Pain, swelling, or bleeding in the tissues in and around the joint
• Causes of decreased motion of the shoulder joint
• Unexplained shoulder pain that does not get better with treatment

A shoulder MRI scan can quickly and effectively identify the causes of shoulder pain. Rotator cuff tears and dislocation are common causes, as well as work or sports-related activities or accidents. Your doctor may also order a shoulder MRI if a surgical procedure is needed or to monitor progress after surgery.

Shoulder MRI with or without contrast?

Shoulder MRI scans can be performed with or without contrast. In a shoulder MRI with contrast, a contrast agent (a colored dye) is injected into the patient to highlight the joint structure in more detail. The contrast agent is injected into a vein in the arm and quickly circulates throughout the body, enhancing the scanned area in the MRI images.

Though very rare, patients can be allergic to the contrast liquid so it should only be administered if absolutely necessary. Adding contrast to an MRI scan significantly increases the cost so we always suggest checking with your doctor if it is absolutely necessary.

At First Look MRI we only perform shoulder MRI scans without contrast. If you require a scan with contrast feel free to get in touch and we’d be happy to recommend a trusted facility that can provide this service.

How much Does a shoulder MRI cost?

The average cost of a shoulder MRI scan in Atlanta is typically around $700, however, the price will depend greatly on your insurance, hospital, and location. Shoulder MRI scans are usually some of the cheapest and simplest, but others are usually a lot more expensive.

Besides your insurance provider and location, one of the main factors influencing cost will be your insurance deductible. Often insurance deductibles for an MRI scan will be much higher than what you would pay to book one outright. We suggest you do some research and inquire what your deductible would be before making a decision whether to go through your insurance or book a self-pay MRI scan.

At First Look MRI discounts are available for multiple scans, screening packages, and public servants. For more information see our pricing page.

MRI with insurance

If you have an insurance plan with a high deductible, your shoulder MRI scan can easily cost you between $1,000 and $2,000, with prices reaching $2,500-$3000 at times. Not only are costs usually higher by going through insurance, but a doctor’s order or referral is usually required, adding even more cost and delaying the process even further.

Due to these high costs, long wait times, the complexity of the booking process, and the lengthy delays for MRI results, many patients prefer to pay cash for their MRI scan.

Cost of a shoulder MRI without insurance

Many people think that out-of-pocket or self-pay MRI scans will be very expensive so don’t consider any option besides the insurance route. What most don’t know is that the self-pay route is often a lot cheaper, quicker, and easier than expensive insurance options. For example, a shoulder MRI scan from First Look MRI will only cost you $499 and you can usually book for a same-day appointment. You can go from deciding you need an MRI to receiving your results in less than 24 hours.

We only provide MRI imaging services without insurance (self-pay), so the price you see is the only price you’ll pay, with no surprises or hidden costs.

Shoulder MRI results and video report

The first question most people ask is, "how long does it take to get results from my shoulder MRI scan?" You'll want to receive your results as quickly as possible to present them to your doctor and we’ve got you covered. First Look MRI delivers reports via secure email within 24 hours, and in as little as 90 minutes with our STAT option.

Not only will your MRI scan results be delivered quickly, but you won’t have to know how to read an MRI of the shoulder or necessarily return to a doctor, as an experienced radiologist will send you not one, but two reports. One will be a technical, written report for your doctor, while the other will be a video report in simple-to-understand terms so you can know right away if something requires further attention.

Your MRI video report

With your First Look Video Report™ you will get detailed findings of your shoulder MRI scan explained in simple, non-technical terms so that you, the patient, can understand any possible issues and take control of the next steps. You will be able to decide if you want to pursue further medical diagnosis or treatment and have a good idea of the cause of any pain or symptoms.

By not billing insurance providers First Look MRI is free to innovate and our MRI scan video report is a great example of how we want to change the medical services world by giving more power to our patients.

Shoulder MRI scan procedure

Below is a brief explanation of what to expect during your shoulder MRI scan:

Before the scan

You may eat or drink anything you like before your shoulder MRI scan as it will not affect the results in any way.

If you are claustrophobic or experience pain when lying on your back for more than 30 minutes, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you pain or relaxation medication.

Before you enter the room for your shoulder MRI exam you’ll need to remove all items from your pockets as well as any metallic objects you may have on you. This can include shoes, belt buckles, jewelry, dentures, bras with metallic clips, or clothing with zippers. MRI machines use extremely strong magnets so all metal objects are forbidden. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown if you are wearing clothing with metal zippers, rivets, or buttons. We provide a locker in which you can store your clothing and valuables while you’re inside the scanner.

During the scan

During the shoulder MRI scan, the scanning table will slide your lower body into the magnet. You will be asked to keep the lower half of your body perfectly still. Coils (special devices that capture the signal needed to create the images of the specific body part) may be placed around your shoulder.

During the shoulder MRI scan you will not feel anything but will hear intermittent humming, thumping, clicking and knocking sounds.

The MRI exam takes approximately 30-45 minutes and the technologist will always be able to see and hear you throughout. If you experience any discomfort or prefer to pause/cancel the scan you will be able to communicate this easily and it will be done immediately.

After the scan

When the scan is complete, you can resume your normal activities and even drive home, provided you haven’t taken any relaxation or pain medication. If you have taken relaxation medication you will need someone to drive you home.

Your MRI results, along with your video report, will be emailed to you and to your doctor (if you have requested we do so), within 24 hours.

We always welcome patients who want to visit any of our locations before booking a scan to see if they feel comfortable with the space inside the machine. Please feel free to drop in anytime or give us a call to see the machine yourself and we’ll be happy to let you test it.