💪 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
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.