MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. MRI does not use X-rays or ionising radiation.

MRI is particularly useful for looking at joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, the spine and many other structures within the body.

Your scan will be carried out by a qualified radiographer who will explain the examination and look after you throughout your appointment.

When we arrange your appointment, we will ask you some questions about your health and medical history.

This is an important part of making sure that MRI is safe for you.

Please tell us if you have, or have ever had:

• a pacemaker or implanted heart device;
• a cochlear implant;
• a neurostimulator or other implanted electronic device;
• an implanted drug pump;
• surgical clips, coils or stents;
• metal fragments in your eyes or elsewhere in your body;
• previous surgery involving an implant or medical device;
• a joint replacement or other orthopaedic implant;
• any other implanted medical device;
• a continuous glucose monitor or other wearable medical device;
• or if you are, or may be, pregnant.

Having an implant does not automatically mean you cannot have an MRI. We may simply need additional information about the device before confirming that it is safe to proceed.

If you are unsure whether something is relevant, please tell us.

For most MRI scans, you can eat and drink normally before your appointment.

You can also usually take your normal medication as usual.

If your particular examination requires you to fast or follow any special preparation, we will tell you when your appointment is arranged.

Please follow any specific instructions we provide, as these will take priority over the general information on this page.

We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal.

Good choices include:

• T-shirts;
• Jogging Bottoms;
• Leggings;
• Tracksuits;
• Pyjamas 

or other comfortable metal-free clothing.

Try to avoid:

• Jeans;
• Belts;
• Underwired Bras with Hook & Eye fastenings;
• Clothing with metal zips;
• Metal buttons or poppers;
• Metallic decoration or threads;
• Jewellery;
• Watches;
• Hair clips or grips.

You may be asked to change into suitable clothing or a gown if necessary.

Please also avoid bringing unnecessary valuables with you.

Because MRI uses a very strong magnetic field, metal and electronic items cannot be taken into the MRI scanner room.

You will need to remove items such as:

• Jewellery;
• Watches;
• Phones;
• Keys;
• Coins;
• Bank Cards;
• Hearing Aids;
• Removable Piercings here possible;
• Hair Clips;

and other metallic or electronic items.

Where available, these can be stored safely while your scan is being performed at your own risk.

Some cosmetics contain metallic particles that may affect MRI images or, in some cases, interact with the magnetic field.

It is best to avoid:

• Heavy eye make-up;
• Mascara;
• Glitter-based cosmetics;
• Magnetic eyelashes;

and cosmetics containing metallic particles.

If your scan involves your head or face, you may be asked to remove make-up before the examination.

Please arrive at the time stated in your appointment information.

Before your scan, a radiographer will:

• Confirm your identity;
• Discuss your MRI safety questionnaire;
• Check whether you have any implants or medical devices;
• Explain what will happen during the examination;
• Answer any questions you have;
• and confirm that it is safe to proceed.

You may then be asked to remove metallic items or change clothing before entering the scanner room.

You will lie on a padded scanner table.

Depending on which part of your body is being examined, you may be scanned feet-first or head-first.

A special piece of equipment, called a coil, may be positioned around or close to the area being scanned.

The table then moves into the MRI scanner.

The scanner is open at both ends.

Your radiographer will operate the scanner from the control area immediately outside the scan room. They will be able to see, hear and speak to you throughout the examination.

You will also be given a call device so that you can attract the radiographer's attention at any time.

Yes.

MRI scanners make loud knocking, tapping, buzzing, and thumping noises while they produce images.

This is completely normal.

You will be given appropriate hearing protection, such as earplugs and/or headphones, during the examination.

You will also be given an alert buzzer in the form of a squeeze ball. Use it to communicate with the radiographers if you have a problem during the scan.

Yes.

Staying still is important because movement can blur MRI images.

Your radiographer will tell you when each part of the scan is starting and may give you instructions during the examination.

For some scans, you may occasionally be asked to hold your breath for a short period.

The length of an MRI examination depends on the area being scanned and the type of images required.

Most examinations take approximately 20 to 40 minutes, although some may be shorter or longer.

We will provide more specific information once your appointment is arranged.

If additional images are required, or you move on the images, your examination may take slightly longer than originally expected.

MRI itself is painless.

The main challenge for some people is lying relatively flat and staying still for the duration of the scan.

If you are uncomfortable, please tell the radiographer. We will do what we reasonably can to make you comfortable while still obtaining the images needed.

Usually, yes.

Many people who worry about enclosed spaces can still complete an MRI successfully.

Please tell us before your appointment if you are particularly anxious or claustrophobic.

Knowing in advance allows us to discuss the examination with you and consider what support may be appropriate.

Your radiographer will remain in communication with you throughout the scan, and you will have a call device if you need to stop.

If medication for anxiety or claustrophobia is being considered, this would normally need to be discussed and arranged with an appropriate healthcare professional before your appointment.

If you take sedating medication, you must follow the instructions given to you, and you may need another adult to take you home afterwards. You should not drive if advised not to do so.

Yes, you are welcome to bring a friend, relative, or carer to your appointment.

They can normally remain with you before and after the scan.

In some exceptional circumstances, they may also be able to accompany you into the MRI scanner room.

Anyone entering the MRI environment must complete appropriate MRI safety screening first and must be safe to enter the scanner room.

For safety reasons, it may not always be possible for someone accompanying you to remain in the scan room itself.

Please tell us as early as possible.

MRI safety depends on the exact make, model and type of device or implant.

We may need to obtain further information or documentation before your appointment.

Do not assume that an implant prevents MRI, but equally, do not attend without telling us about it.

Examples include:

• Pacemakers;
• Implantable cardiac devices, such as defibrilators and loop recorders;
• Cochlear Implants;
• Neurostimulators;
• Surgical clips;
• Aneurysm clips;
• Joint replacements;
• Screws, plates or rods;
• Vascular stents;
• Implanted pumps;
• Programmable shunts;
• Metallic foreign bodies.

Where necessary, we will assess the information before confirming whether the scan can safely proceed.

Some wearable medical devices, including certain continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps or medication patches, may need to be removed before entering the MRI scanner.

Please tell us about any wearable or attached medical device when we arrange your appointment.

If a device needs to be removed and replaced, you may need to bring a replacement sensor, patch or other equipment with you.

MRI does not use ionising radiation, but we still need to know if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

MRI Scans are usually avoided in the first trimester of preganancy.

Please tell us when you arrange your appointment and again when you attend.

We can then consider your referral and the need for the examination appropriately.

Some MRI examinations use an injection of MRI contrast agent to provide additional information.

If contrast is required for your examination, this will be discussed with you.

Not every MRI scan requires contrast.

The majority of routine musculoskeletal MRI examinations can be performed without an injection.

For a routine MRI, you can usually drive yourself to and from your appointment.

If you have taken sedating medication or have been specifically advised that you should not drive, you will need someone else to take you home.

Once the examination is complete, you can normally leave straight away and continue with your usual activities.

You can usually eat, drink, work and drive normally afterwards unless you have been given specific instructions.

A specialist reporting radiologist will then review your MRI images.

The completed report will be returned to your referring clinician.

A radiologist will review your MRI images carefully and produce a written report.

The report will normally be returned through the agreed pathway to the healthcare professional who referred you.

Your referrer can then discuss the results with you in the context of your symptoms and ongoing care.

The radiographer performing your scan will not be able to give you your results on the day.

Occasionally, an MRI may identify a finding that requires more urgent medical attention.

If this happens, appropriate steps will be taken to communicate the finding through the relevant clinical pathway.

This may include contacting your referring healthcare professional or another appropriate healthcare service.

Our MRI service is primarily referral-led.

We accept referrals from appropriate healthcare professionals, including, but not limited to, physiotherapists, doctors, orthopaedic clinicians, chiropractors, osteopaths and other appropriate clinicians.

If you do not currently have a healthcare professional who can refer you, please contact us. We can explain the options available for obtaining an independent clinical assessment and, where appropriate, a referral.

A clinical assessment does not guarantee that an MRI will be recommended. The decision to refer remains with the assessing healthcare professional.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.

Giving us sufficient notice may allow the appointment to be offered to another patient.

Cancellation charges may apply depending on how much notice is provided.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for full details.