Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Shoulder

MRI of the Shoulder, Shoulder MRI

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Metal devices in your shoulder or chest from previous surgery. These can make the MRI pictures blurry and prevent your doctor from seeing what is wrong with your shoulder.
• Pregnancy. An MRI test usually is not done during pregnancy.
• Medical devices that use electronics, such as a pacemaker or medicine infusion pump. The MRI magnet may cause problems with these devices.
• If you are not able to remain still during the test.
• Obesity. A person who is very overweight may not fit into the opening of some standard MRI machines.

Many modern medical devices that do not use electronics, such as heart valves, stents, or clips, can be safely placed in most MRI machines. But some newer MRI machines have stronger magnets. The safety of MRI scans with these stronger MRI magnets in people with medical devices is not completely known.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: March 11, 2009
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
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