Rotator cuff tears
Partial and full-thickness tears of the four tendons that lift and rotate the arm, a common cause of pain and weakness.
Consultant radiologist reportReport and images in 3–5 working days
Private MRI · No GP referral needed
Private Shoulder MRI Scan
4.2/5Get to the bottom of shoulder pain, weakness or instability. A private shoulder MRI at one of 60 UK imaging centres, reported by a consultant radiologist, with your report and images emailed within 3 to 5 working days. £395 for one shoulder, £595 for both. No GP referral needed, and appointments are typically within 7 days.
- Appointments within 7 days
- 60 UK imaging centres
- Consultant radiologist report
Price
from £395
One shoulder · both shoulders £595
Choose your shoulder, then your nearest centre and date
- No GP referral needed
- Report in 3–5 working days
- Appointments within 7 days
Prefer to talk it through? Call 01225 444 144 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
- Consultant radiologistreports every scan
- No GP referralwe arrange it for you
- 20–45 minutesin the scanner
- Clinician callif anything needs attention
What a shoulder MRI can show
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body and relies on soft tissue for stability. MRI shows those tendons, cartilage and ligaments in detail.
Impingement and bursitis
Tendons pinched under the bony tip of the shoulder, and inflammation of the bursa that cushions them.
Labral tears and instability
Damage to the cartilage rim of the socket, including SLAP and Bankart tears after a dislocation.
Tendinopathy and calcific tendonitis
Degeneration, thickening or calcium deposits in the rotator cuff and biceps tendons.
Arthritis
Wear in the main shoulder joint and the AC joint at the top of the shoulder.
Frozen shoulder
Usually diagnosed from your symptoms, but MRI can show capsule changes and rule out other causes of stiffness.
When is a shoulder MRI worth it?
- Pain when lifting your arm overhead, reaching behind you or lying on that side
- Weakness lifting or rotating your arm after a fall or strain
- Your shoulder has dislocated, or feels like it slips or clunks
- Pain or stiffness hasn’t improved after several weeks of physiotherapy
- You want a clear diagnosis before injections, surgery or returning to sport
- You’re facing a long wait for a non-urgent NHS scan
Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, breathlessness or sweating can be a sign of a heart problem: call 999. A shoulder that has just dislocated needs A&E, not a scan.
What’s included for £395
- MRI scan of your shoulder at one of 60 UK imaging centres
- Clinical referral arranged by Goodbody, so you don’t need your GP
- Written report from a consultant radiologist
- Your report and images emailed within 3–5 working days
- A call from a Goodbody clinician if anything needs attention
- Add a second body part in the same appointment: £595 in total
How booking your shoulder MRI works
- 1
Book online in 2 minutes
Choose your shoulder, pick an imaging centre near you and your preferred date. Appointments are typically within 7 days, and no GP letter is needed.
- 2
Have your scan
Lie still on the scanner table for 20–45 minutes while images are taken. It’s noisy but painless, with no injection and no radiation.
- 3
Get your report
A consultant radiologist reports your scan. Your report and images are emailed within 3–5 working days, and a clinician calls if anything needs attention.
Shoulder MRI Scan questions answered
How much does a private shoulder MRI cost?
A private shoulder MRI at Goodbody costs £395 for one shoulder, or £595 for both shoulders scanned in the same appointment. The price includes the clinical referral, the scan, a consultant radiologist’s report and your images, with a clinician call if anything needs attention. Pay in 3 interest-free instalments with Clearpay if you prefer.
Do I need a GP referral for a private shoulder MRI?
No. Book directly with Goodbody and we arrange the clinical referral the imaging centre needs, so there is nothing to ask your GP for. During booking you tell us briefly why you need the scan, so the radiologist knows what to look for.
How long does a shoulder MRI take?
Most shoulder MRI scans take 20 to 45 minutes in the scanner, and a shoulder is towards the shorter end of that range. Allow extra time to arrive and complete the safety checklist. You lie on your back with your arm by your side and need to keep still while the images are taken.
Does your whole body go in for a shoulder MRI?
For a shoulder scan your head and upper body are inside the scanner, with the shoulder being scanned positioned near the centre. The scanner is open at both ends and well lit, and you can speak to the radiographer throughout. Tell us when you book if enclosed spaces worry you.
When should I get an MRI for shoulder pain?
Most shoulder strains improve within a few weeks with rest and physiotherapy. An MRI is worth considering if pain or weakness persists beyond that, if you can’t lift your arm properly after an injury, or if your shoulder has dislocated or feels unstable, as these can point to a tendon or labral tear.
Is an MRI or ultrasound better for a shoulder?
Ultrasound is good for looking at the rotator cuff tendons and bursa. MRI shows the whole joint, including the labrum, cartilage, ligaments, bone and the deeper parts of the tendons, so it gives a more complete picture, especially after a dislocation or when the cause of pain is unclear.
Can an MRI show a frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is usually diagnosed from your symptoms and an examination. An MRI can show thickening of the joint capsule that supports the diagnosis, and just as importantly it can rule out other causes of pain and stiffness, such as a rotator cuff tear or arthritis.
How long do shoulder MRI results take?
A consultant radiologist reports your scan, and the written report and your images are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days. If the report shows anything that needs attention, a Goodbody clinician calls you to explain it and how to take it to your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist.
What if I'm claustrophobic?
Tell us when you book so the centre can prepare you. The scanner is open at both ends, you can talk to the radiographer throughout and you hold a call button. For a knee, ankle or foot scan your head usually stays outside the scanner.
Will the NHS accept my private shoulder MRI?
Usually, yes. A private MRI reported by a consultant radiologist is a valid clinical document, and GPs and NHS specialists will normally act on it rather than repeat it, as long as they can see the report and images. Occasionally a specialist will want a repeat scan to a specific protocol; that is their decision.
Where can I get a private shoulder MRI near me?
At one of 60 imaging centres across the UK. Enter your postcode when you book and the centres are sorted closest first, then choose your preferred date; appointments are typically within 7 days. See all our locations.
Other MRI scans
Book online in under 2 minutes
Book your MRI scan in 3 simple steps
No GP referral needed. Appointments typically within 7 days.
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Step 1 Choose body part Tap the body diagram or search by name
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Step 2 Select your clinic 60+ locations UK-wide near you
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Step 3 Add patient details Pick your preferred date & confirm
Secure booking · No payment until confirmed
- 7 daysTypical appointment
- 3 daysDetailed results
- 60+UK clinics
- No GPreferral required
Patient Story
Hear Michael's Story...
A short story from a patient who recently had their scan with us — what made them book, and how the day actually went.
Not sure if it's right for you? Our team is happy to talk it through, no pressure.