Patrick DenardDirector Oregon Shoulder Fellowship at Oregon Shoulder Institute

When Do You Need a Shoulder MRI?

22 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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In this concise medical briefing, Dr. Patrick Denard outlines the two primary clinical scenarios that warrant ordering a shoulder MRI for suspected rotator cuff pathology. First, an MRI should be obtained immediately after a traumatic shoulder injury that results in a noticeable change in function, as early imaging is linked to better outcomes. Second, if a patient has completed 6–12 weeks of physical therapy—whether or not they received a corticosteroid injection—and still experiences persistent pain and weakness, an MRI is indicated to clarify the underlying problem. Dr. Denard also advises against administering multiple injections before imaging, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing the issue before further intervention.

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So when do I get an MRI for rotator cuff? Really, 2 reasons. First off, if you have a traumatic injury, especially with change in function, you need an MRI right away. Data shows better outcomes if you get that addressed immediately. The second reason to get an MRI is if somebody goes through physical therapy with or without an injection, they do 6 to 12 weeks, they're not where they want to be, they have persistent pain and weakness, it's time to get an MRI to get some more information. Don't do multiple injections. Find out first what is going on.