Can I get an MRI for a sports injury without seeing a sports medicine doctor?

Yes. A telehealth medical provider can evaluate your injury history and symptoms and issue an MRI order when medically appropriate, without an in-person sports medicine or orthopedic visit.

What sports injuries commonly need MRI?

Common sports injuries that may warrant MRI include ACL, MCL, or PCL tears; meniscal tears; rotator cuff injuries; labral tears (hip or shoulder); ligament sprains; and muscle or tendon injuries that don't resolve with conservative treatment.

My injury was months ago but still hurts. Can I still get imaging?

Yes. Delayed or chronic injuries are a common reason for imaging. If your injury hasn't healed as expected, hasn't been properly evaluated, or is limiting your activity, a provider review may determine MRI is appropriate.

Is an MRI order guaranteed for a sports injury?

No. Orders are issued only when medically appropriate based on your clinical presentation. The provider will assess whether MRI adds diagnostic value given your specific injury, timeline, and symptoms.

How much does sports injury MRI cost without insurance?

Self-pay MRI for joint injuries (knee, shoulder, hip) typically costs $150–$500 at cash-pay imaging centers. The Diagnostic Orders Direct consultation is $40 and paid separately.

Patient Pathway

Sports Injury Imaging Order Consultation

ACL tear, meniscus injury, rotator cuff, or a lingering athletic injury that won't heal? Get a provider order for sports injury imaging — without waiting weeks for a sports medicine appointment.

Get Sports Injury Imaging Order — $40

Orders issued only when medically appropriate. Not for emergency symptoms.

Emergency Symptoms — Do Not Use This Service

Call 911 or go to the ER for: suspected fracture with deformity, severe bleeding or open wound, loss of sensation in a limb, or major trauma with possible spinal injury.

Who This Is For

Athletes with suspected ACL, MCL, or PCL tears

Meniscal tear with persistent knee pain, clicking, or locking

Rotator cuff injury with ongoing shoulder pain and weakness

Labral tear symptoms (hip or shoulder) unresolved with rest

Ankle ligament injuries that haven't healed after 4–6 weeks

Stress fracture concerns not visible on X-ray

Delayed injury — injury from weeks or months ago still affecting you

Pre-surgical evaluation — need imaging before orthopedic consultation

Common Sports Injury Imaging Orders

Knee — ACL/MCL/PCL/MeniscusMRI Knee

Gold-standard for evaluating ligament tears, meniscal damage, cartilage, and bone bruising.

Order

Shoulder — Rotator Cuff / LabrumMRI Shoulder

Evaluates rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and biceps tendon injuries not visible on X-ray.

Order

Ankle / Foot — Ligament SprainMRI Ankle/Foot

Detects severe ligament sprains, peroneal tendon injuries, and occult fractures.

Order

Hip — Labral Tear / ImpingementMRI Hip

Evaluates labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, and bone marrow edema.

Order

Spine — Back or Neck from ImpactMRI Spine

Evaluates disc injuries, nerve compression, and spinal cord involvement after athletic injury.

Order

What the Provider Will Ask

How did the injury happen? (mechanism of injury)

How long ago did the injury occur?

What are your current symptoms? (pain, swelling, instability, clicking)

What makes it better or worse?

Have you had prior imaging? (X-rays, prior MRI)

Have you tried conservative treatment? (rest, ice, PT)

Is the injury limiting your activity? In what way?

What imaging facility are you planning to use?

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Sports Injury Imaging Order

$40 virtual provider review. Order issued within 1 business day when medically appropriate. Use at any accredited imaging center.

Start Consultation — $40

Disclaimer: Orders are issued only when medically appropriate. The $40 consultation fee does not include imaging center, lab, radiologist, contrast, insurance, or facility fees. This service is not for emergencies. Service available in 36 states and Washington D.C..

Sports Injury Imaging Order Consultation

Who This Is For

Common Sports Injury Imaging Orders

What the Provider Will Ask

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Sports Injury Imaging Order

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