Shoulder MRI

Your doctor may refer you for a shoulder MRI scan to investigate shoulder pain, instability, reduced movement, or persistent pain that has not resolved with initial treatment. A shoulder MRI may also be used to assess shoulder injuries, monitor recovery following shoulder surgery, or investigate inflammation and other medical conditions contributing to ongoing pain or functional limitation.

MRI provides detailed images of the soft tissue structures and bones of the shoulder, including the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, the biceps tendon, the labrum, the glenohumeral joint, the joint capsule, and surrounding ligaments and supporting soft tissues. This allows assessment of internal structures that are not clearly seen on standard X-ray imaging.

An MRI scan of the shoulder may be recommended when other imaging tests, such as X-ray or ultrasound (US), have not provided enough diagnostic information. It can assist in the evaluation of suspected rotator cuff disorders, including rotator cuff tears, labral tears or abnormalities, bone fractures, or other causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction.

Most shoulder MRI scans require little or no preparation. Please bring any previous scans or X-rays related to your shoulder MRI with you to your appointment. If you have had these scans performed at Queensland X-Ray, we will already have access to your images.

For the MRI, you will be required to change into a hospital gown and remove jewellery, so we recommend wearing clothing that is easy to remove.

• When you arrive at one of Queensland X-Ray’s MRI practices, our reception staff will go through some questions with you to reconfirm your booking details.
• So, our team can perform your scan safely and effectively, you are required to complete a patient safety questionnaire and change into a gown, which we will provide. You will be asked to remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures and any other loose items. Your belongings will be safely stored for you during your examination.
• In order to perform your scan, you will lie down on the MRI bed, which will then be moved so that your shoulder is positioned in the centre of the scanner. Devices called coils are used to help create the images.
• Throughout the procedure, you will be required to keep still.
• Some shoulder MRI scans will require the administration of a contrast agent using an intravenous (IV) line in your arm, or an injection into your shoulder joint based on clinical requirements. This contrast injection can help enhance certain images. When the contrast is injected, you may notice a metallic taste in your mouth, which is completely normal. It is important to tell the staff if you have had any previous allergic reaction to MRI contrast material.
• The MRI machine makes a very loud knocking and humming sound when the images are being taken. Both hearing protection and an emergency buzzer are provided for the duration of the scan. You will be offered headphones through which the MRI radiographer can talk to you and play a selection of music to help reduce the noise and pass the time more quickly. The knocking will intermittently stop while the computer processes the images for a few seconds at a time before starting again. No one else will be in the room during your scan, but you can press the buzzer should you need to communicate with the MRI radiographer or stop the exam at any time.

If you require a shoulder MRI scan and suffer from claustrophobia or are uncomfortable with the restrictive space, your doctor can prescribe sedation to help you complete the scan. In more extreme cases of claustrophobia, twilight sedation can be arranged at one of our hospital practices. Please mention this at the time of booking so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Safety is paramount with MRI scanning, so at the time of booking your MRI and when you arrive at the MRI clinic for your appointment, you will be asked certain safety questions.

An MRI scanner is essentially a large magnet, and certain metal objects like implants are not MRI safe or are MRI conditional. Please let your referring doctor and Queensland X-Ray staff know if you have any of the following:

• Cardiac pacemaker
• Defibrillator
• Cochlear implant
• Neurostimulator
• Aneurysm clips
• Active implanted biomedical devices
• Infusion pump
• Continuous glucose monitors
• Any implants or devices in your head or body

Please let us know at the time of booking if you are pregnant.        

An MRI scan of your shoulder takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.