Can you have an MRI scan with metal in your body?

MRI magnets can attract some ferromagnetic objects, make certain devices move or heat up, or interfere with how an implant works. Other implants are designed for MRI under specified conditions. The team needs the exact device name, model and placement, not only a general description such as a heart device or metal plate.

Tell staff about pacemakers, defibrillators, aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, infusion pumps, stents, joint replacements, surgical hardware, shrapnel and metal fragments in the eye. Dental fillings and many orthopaedic implants may be manageable, but they still need to be reported. Never bring loose metal into the scanner room.

Bring an implant card, operative record or device details if you have them. Tell the centre about previous surgery, work involving metal, and any possibility of a metal fragment after an injury. The radiology team may contact the device manufacturer, review records or arrange another check before approving the scan.

Remove jewellery, piercings, watches, hair accessories, cards and clothing with metal. Follow instructions about medicines, food and contrast. If a device cannot be scanned safely, the clinician can consider a different imaging method or a modified MRI protocol.

Tell the staff immediately if you feel pulling, heating, pain, dizziness or unusual device activity during the scan; use the alarm button if needed. Seek urgent care for severe breathing difficulty, fainting or a serious allergic reaction after any contrast medicine. If a scan was delayed because an implant needs identification, contact the requesting clinician about the next diagnostic step.

Ask whether your specific implant is approved for MRI, whether special settings or monitoring are needed, and what records the centre requires. Confirm whether contrast is planned and which alternative test would be used if MRI is unsuitable.