Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
MRI
Neck pain that spreads into your shoulder or arm, along with tingling or weakness in your hand, is one of the most common reasons doctors order this scan. It looks at the cervical spine - the seven vertebrae, discs and spinal cord in your neck - without any injection. Most neck-related workups start here, because a plain MRI already shows disc bulges, degenerative wear (cervical spondylosis), and whether the spinal cord or a nerve root is being pinched. Degenerative changes tend to cluster at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels, where the neck moves and carries load the most. The scan uses magnets and radio waves, not X-rays, so no radiation is involved.
This scan images the cervical vertebrae, discs, spinal cord, and nerve roots in your neck. It shows disc bulges or herniation, narrowing of the spinal canal, and bone changes from cervical spondylosis. Your doctor reads the images together with your symptoms - arm pain, numbness, or hand clumsiness - to decide what happens next.
Your cervical spine has seven vertebrae (C1 to C7) stacked around the spinal cord, with discs cushioning each level and nerve roots branching out toward your shoulders and arms. This scan captures all of it using magnets and radio waves - no X-rays, no radiation.
Neck pain alone doesn't usually need an MRI right away. It's more often ordered when pain spreads into an arm, or when you notice numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand - signs that a nerve or the spinal cord may be involved. Degenerative wear tends to show up first at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels, since that part of the neck bears the most load.
- Disc bulges or herniation pressing on a nerve root - Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) - Bone and joint wear from cervical spondylosis - Early signal changes suggesting spinal cord compression (myelopathy)
Ask your doctor whether this plain scan fits your symptoms, or whether contrast is needed instead.
No. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create images, not X-rays, so there's no radiation exposure.
No, this is the plain version of the cervical spine MRI. Dye is only used if your doctor specifically asks for the contrast version.
It typically runs between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how many sequences your doctor has asked for. Ask the centre for a more exact estimate on the day.
Metal jewelry, watches, and any removable metal objects need to come off beforehand, since the scanner uses a strong magnet. Ask your doctor or the centre about preparation instructions, including anything related to implants or pacemakers.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
Yes. It's commonly used to check for disc herniation or narrowing that could be pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
That depends on how long the pain has lasted and whether it's improved with treatment - your doctor decides whether imaging is needed at all. This scan is more often ordered when neck pain comes with arm symptoms or hasn't responded to initial treatment.
It can show the bone and joint wear typical of cervical spondylosis, along with any resulting narrowing or nerve involvement. Your doctor interprets the images together with your symptoms to reach a diagnosis.