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Shoulder MRI Scan

Shoulder MRI Scan

A shoulder MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a non-invasive procedure that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed pictures of the bones, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons in your shoulder joint.

No GP referral needed. Safe, painless, and comfortable. Results reviewed by specialist radiologists and returned within 3 to 5 working days.

  Clinician advice included

No GP referral needed

Share results anywhere

Shoulder MRI Pricing

Excellent pricing that suits your health concerns.

Shoulder MRI Scan at Vitalscan

£375

What’s included
  • One-region MRI scan (shoulder – left or right)
  • Review of referral (if provided)
  • Full radiologist report
  • Access to digital scan images

  • Results within 3–5 working days

  • Pre and post-scan patient support

  • Comfortable scanning environment

  • Tea, coffee and cold drinks for free

  • Private consultation room (no waiting around in your gown)
  • Free parking & accessible parking available

Why would I need an Shoulder MRI Scan?

A shoulder MRI is an advanced diagnostic tool used to produce clear images of the shoulder joint and surrounding soft tissues. It is particularly useful if you are experiencing:

  • Injuries and trauma: Rotator cuff tears or tendonitis, labral tears (including SLAP tears), dislocated shoulder or recurrent instability, fractures that don’t show clearly on X-ray, and ligament or tendon damage.

  • Chronic pain and stiffness: Ongoing shoulder pain with no clear cause, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), persistent stiffness or reduced range of motion, and unexplained weakness when lifting or reaching.
  • Sports injuries: Overhead athlete injuries (swimmers, tennis players, throwers), contact sport trauma, repetitive strain injuries, and soft tissue damage from falls or impacts.
  • Suspected conditions: Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), bursitis or inflammation, impingement syndrome, bone spurs or cysts, and nerve compression or damage.
  • Post-surgical assessment: Checking healing after rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilisation surgery, or joint replacement.
private mri scan milton keynes

What does an Shoulder MRI Scan show?

An MRI produces detailed cross-sectional images that show:

  • Bones and joints for fractures, arthritis, bone abnormalities, and joint alignment.
  • Rotator cuff to detect tears, inflammation, or degeneration in the four tendons that stabilise your shoulder.
  • Labrum to identify tears in the cartilage ring that deepens the shoulder socket.
  • Ligaments and tendons including damage to the biceps tendon and supporting ligaments.
  • Muscles and soft tissues to detect strains, tears, and swelling around the shoulder joint.
  • Bursa and fluid to assess inflammation or excess fluid in the shoulder joint.

Unlike X-rays, which mainly show bone, MRI scans excel at showing soft tissue injuries. This makes them the best choice for diagnosing rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, and cartilage damage.

Who is a Shoulder MRI Scan suitable for?

A shoulder MRI scan is suitable if you:

  • Have ongoing shoulder pain that hasn’t improved with rest or physiotherapy
  • Experience stiffness, weakness, or reduced range of motion
  • Have suffered a sports injury or significant trauma to the shoulder
  • Feel clicking, catching, or instability in the shoulder joint
  • Need to assess healing after shoulder surgery
  • Have been advised by your physiotherapist, GP, or consultant to get an MRI

Important considerations

Most people can safely have an MRI. However, you may need additional checks if you have:

  • A pacemaker, cochlear implant, or other electronic device
  • Metal fragments, plates, or screws from previous surgery (usually safe, but we’ll confirm this with you)
  • Claustrophobia (we have a wide-bore scanner and can discuss options to make you comfortable)

If you’re pregnant or think you might be, let us know when booking. MRI is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but we’ll discuss your individual situation.

Preparation for your Shoulder MRI Scan

No special preparation is needed for a Shoulder MRI Scan.

What to do before your scan:

  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zips or fastenings
  • Remove jewellery, watches, and piercings before the scan
  • Let us know if you have any metal implants or medical devices
  • Inform us if you’re pregnant or claustrophobic

You can eat and drink normally before your scan. There are no fasting requirements.

What to expect during your Shoulder MRI Scan

Step 1

Arrival and Prep

When you arrive at Vitalscan, you’ll be welcomed by our team and offered complimentary tea, coffee, or cold drinks. You’ll have a private room with a locker for your clothes and belongings.

Step 2

Getting ready

You’ll be asked to remove any jewellery, watches, and metal items. You’ll change into a comfortable gown. One of our radiographers will explain the scan and answer any questions.

Step 3

During the scan

You’ll lie on the scanning table with your shoulder positioned inside the scanner. Because it’s only your upper body that needs to be scanned, you’ll be able to see out of the scanner throughout. The scan itself takes around 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll need to keep your shoulder still during this time.

The scanner makes loud tapping and knocking sounds, but we’ll provide headphones so you can listen to music or the radio. You’ll also have an emergency buzzer to hold, so you can contact us at any time.

Step 4

After the scan

Once the scan is complete, you can get changed and leave straight away. There’s no recovery time needed, and you can drive and resume normal activities immediately.

You don’t need to wait around for results. We’ll email your full radiologist report and digital images within 3 to 5 working days. Our team remains available if you have any questions after your appointment.

Your results and radiologist report

Timing

Your scan results will be ready within 3 to 5 working days. We prioritise fast turnaround times so you can move forward with treatment quickly.

Who reviews your scan

Every scan is reviewed by a specialist musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist. Our radiologists are experienced in diagnosing shoulder injuries and conditions.

How you receive your results

You’ll receive a full radiologist report and digital images via email. You can share these with your GP, consultant, physiotherapist, or any healthcare provider. If your scan identifies something urgent, we’ll contact you directly.

Why choose Vitalscan for your Shoulder MRI Scan

  • Specialist radiology team: Your scan is reviewed by experienced MSK radiologists who specialise in shoulder injuries. Our radiology manager and senior radiographers ensure every scan meets the highest clinical standards.

  • Modern Philips 1.5T BlueSeal MRI: Our advanced scanner delivers high-quality images quickly and comfortably. The wide-bore design and patient entertainment options make the experience as relaxed as possible.
  • Fast appointments and results: Appointments available within days, not weeks. Results returned within 3 to 5 working days, so you can move forward with treatment quickly.
  • No referral needed: You can book directly with us. No need to wait for a GP referral or lengthy NHS waiting lists.
  • Comfortable, patient-focused care: Private changing rooms, complimentary refreshments, and a welcoming environment designed to make your experience as stress-free as possible.

Safety and reassurance

MRI scans are safe, non-invasive, and do not use radiation. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, there’s no exposure to ionising radiation, making MRI a safe option for repeated scans if needed.

Is an MRI safe?

Yes. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images. There are no known long-term side effects.

Metal implants

Many metal implants are MRI-safe, including most surgical screws, plates, and joint replacements. We’ll ask about any implants when you book, and confirm safety before your scan.

Claustrophobia

Our wide-bore scanner and calming environment help reduce anxiety. For shoulder scans, your head remains visible throughout, which most people find comfortable. If you’re worried, let us know and we’ll talk through ways to help.

Contrast dye

Most shoulder MRI scans do not require contrast dye. If contrast is needed for your specific scan, we’ll discuss this with you beforehand. Contrast is safe for most people, though you’ll be asked about any kidney conditions or allergies.

Shoulder MRI FAQs

An MRI scan of the shoulder provides detailed images of the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles within the shoulder joint.

If you have ongoing shoulder pain, stiffness, or instability — especially if X-rays or ultrasound haven’t identified the cause — an MRI may be recommended.

Unlike X-rays, which mainly show bones, MRI scans highlight soft tissues such as rotator cuff tendons, labrum, and cartilage — making them the best tool for diagnosing soft tissue injuries.

No referral is required. You can book directly with us, and a consultant radiologist will review your results.

No. The scan is painless. You’ll need to lie still while the machine captures images. You may hear loud tapping noises, but we provide headphones or earplugs for comfort.

Usually around 20–30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the scan.

No preparation is required. You’ll just need to remove jewellery, watches, or other metal items.

A full radiologist report and your scan images will be available within 3–5 working days.

A shoulder MRI can diagnose rotator cuff tears, labral tears (including SLAP tears), frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, ligament damage, and cartilage injuries. It’s particularly effective at identifying soft tissue problems that don’t show on X-rays, making it the gold standard for diagnosing most shoulder injuries and conditions.

Meet our clinical team

Alice Nitsche

Centre Manager

BSc (Hons), PgC MMR (Dist.)

Mahmoud Abdalla

Radiology Manager & CQC Manager

BSc (Hons), PGD

Abdelfattah Abdelrahman

Senior MRI Radiographer

DipMI, BSc (Hons), CPD (Diag Rad)

Jayme Brooks

Lead Imaging Assistant

Safiatou Jallow

Phlebotomist and Imaging Assistant

Mikhaela Ambagan

Services Coordinator

Easy to reach

Vitalscan is conveniently located near Central Milton Keynes train station, making us easy to reach by car or public transport.

Partnered with leading
health insurance providers

Partnered with leading health insurance providers

Getting the diagnostic tests you need shouldn’t be complicated. We’re proud to work with leading health insurance providers to make access to our services as seamless as possible.

Our patient pathway

Complete Booking

Schedule your scan online.

Confirmation

Receive booking info instantly.

Quality Check

Ensure scan accuracy & safety.

Scan Day

Attend your appointment.

Receive Results

Get your scan results quickly.

Sharing Report

Share findings with your doctor.

Ready to book your private MRI scan?

Ready to
book your scan?

Booking your scan is quick and easy – no referral needed and appointments available as soon as the same day. Get fast, accurate results for peace of mind.

Patient reviews

Contact

01908 755556

100 Avebury Boulevard,
Milton Keynes, MK9 1FH

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Legal

Vitalscan is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and operates in accordance with all applicable healthcare standards. Our location ID is 1-14644634325. Our diagnostic imaging services are designed to support clinical decision-making but do not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by your own healthcare professional.

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