Can you get an MRI with a spinal cord stimulator?
Published by Kentuckiana Pain Specialists
Published: October 2026
An MRI may be possible if your complete spinal cord stimulation system is labeled MR Conditional. That means you can have an MRI as long as specific conditions are met: the right scanner strength, the device switched into MRI mode, and an imaging team following the manufacturer's rules. Some older systems and some lead setups only allow head scans, so your exact model matters.
What "MR Conditional" actually means
An MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves. Metal and electronics inside the body can heat up, shift, or reset if the scan isn't set up correctly. MR Conditional means the manufacturer tested the system and published the exact limits under which a scan is safe.
Those limits usually cover four things:
- Scanner strength. Many systems are tested at 1.5 Tesla. Some also allow 3 Tesla.
- Body region. Some systems allow full-body scans. Others only allow the head.
- Radiofrequency energy. The scanner has to stay under a set energy level, called SAR.
- Device condition. Leads intact, impedance normal, and MRI mode turned on.
Two people with stimulators from different companies can get different answers. So can two people with the same brand, if one has a surgical paddle lead and the other has percutaneous leads.
How your setup affects eligibility
| Your situation | What it usually means for MRI |
|---|---|
| Newer system labeled full-body MR Conditional | Head, spine, and body scans possible within the manufacturer's limits |
| Older or head-only system | Brain scans may be allowed. Lumbar or body scans may not |
| Lead fracture or abnormal impedance | Scan delayed until the system is checked |
| Extra hardware, like abandoned leads or extensions | Often changes eligibility. Ask before you book |
Why this matters before you're implanted
Many people who need a stimulator have spine problems that get re-imaged over the years. If you have ongoing disc disease, a cancer history, MS, or another condition your doctors follow with MRI, bring it up at your consultation. It can change which system makes sense for you. Ask your implanting specialist to consider your imaging history and the scans you may need later.
What to do when a doctor orders an MRI
- Tell the ordering doctor and the imaging center. Bring your patient ID card. It lists your model.
- Contact your implanting team. Ask them to confirm the model, lead type, and complete system's eligibility, and whether a device check is needed before the scan.
- Turn on MRI mode with your patient remote, following the manufacturer's steps, with help from your device team if needed. Stimulation is usually off during the scan.
- Turn therapy back on afterward. Contact your device team if anything feels different.
Imaging centers sometimes cancel scans when they can't confirm the device details. Having your model and the manufacturer's MRI guidelines ready saves you a wasted trip.
Can an MRI damage the stimulator?
Following the manufacturer's conditions reduces risk, but does not justify treating every system or scan as safe. Problems show up when a scan is run outside those limits: heating near the leads, a device reset, or unwanted stimulation during the scan. That's why no one should scan you without your device details in hand.
If MRI isn't possible
CT scans, CT myelograms, and X-rays can answer many of the same questions. They aren't a perfect substitute for every condition, which is one more reason to plan ahead.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an MRI during my trial week?
Usually not. Trial leads connect to an external battery and generally aren't cleared for MRI. Get any needed scans before the trial starts or after the permanent system is in.
Can I get a 3 Tesla MRI?
Some systems allow it and some are limited to 1.5 Tesla. Your model decides this, so have your device team and imaging center verify the conditions first.
Will airport security set off my stimulator?
Security systems can interact with implanted stimulators. Carry your patient ID card, tell security staff about the device, and follow your manufacturer's instructions for your exact system.
Sources
At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists, spinal cord stimulation is provided under the care of Ajith Nair, M.D., at our Louisville and Radcliff, Kentucky clinics. Our phones are answered 24/7 at (502) 995-4004, and a consultation is the best way to find out what fits your situation.
This is general information, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you is determined by a physician after an evaluation.