💪 Shoulder MRI, 2026
Shoulder MRI Cost 2026, UK & US Prices
UK private shoulder MRI: £300–£700 with no GP referral needed. US: $400–$1,800 at an imaging centre, $1,200–$5,500 at a hospital. NHS is free with a GP or physiotherapy referral.
NHS (UK)
FREE
6–18 week wait
Private (UK)
£300–£700
No referral needed
US Imaging Centre
$400–$1,800
Ask for cash-pay rate
US Hospital
$1,200–$5,500
Always use imaging centre
UK Shoulder MRI Prices by Provider
| Provider | Shoulder MRI From | Self-Referral | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Health | ~£299 | ✓ Yes | 1–3 days |
| Nuffield Health | ~£375 | ✓ Yes | 2–5 days |
| Spire Healthcare | ~£350 | ✓ Yes | 2–5 days |
| Bupa | ~£400 | ✓ Yes | 2–4 days |
| OneWelbeck | ~£500+ | ✓ Yes | 24–48 hrs |
MR arthrography (joint contrast injection) typically adds £100 to £300 over the standard shoulder MRI price. Confirm with your surgeon whether arthrogram is needed before booking.
What Does a Shoulder MRI Detect?
Rotator cuff tears
Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis
SLAP tears
Superior labrum anterior to posterior
Bankart lesion
Anterior labral tear post-dislocation
Bicep tendon pathology
Tears, tenosynovitis, LHBT issues
Subacromial impingement
Bursitis, acromion shape assessment
AC joint arthritis
Acromioclavicular joint assessment
Hill-Sachs lesion
Humeral head defect post-dislocation
Calcific tendinopathy
Calcium deposits in tendons
How to Save on Shoulder MRI
🇬🇧 UK
- Physiotherapist referral often faster than GP route for NHS
- Vista Health from ~£299 for shoulder, often cheapest UK option
- Avoid London: 20–30% cheaper in regional cities
- Confirm if arthrogram (joint contrast) is required, adds £100–£300 if so
🇺🇸 US
- Freestanding imaging centre vs hospital, up to $4,000 cheaper
- Ask for the 'cash-pay rate' when calling
- Use Sesame Care to compare transparent pricing
- Standard MRI adequate for most rotator cuff assessments (no arthrogram)
Shoulder MRI, Frequently Asked Questions
A private shoulder MRI in the UK costs £300–£700. Vista Health often starts from £299. Nuffield Health, Spire, and Bupa range from £350–£500. NHS shoulder MRI is free with a GP or physiotherapist referral, with routine waits of 6–18 weeks. Contrast is rarely required for standard shoulder MRI.