Can You Have a Scan With Metal Implants or a Pacemaker?
If you have metal implants, such as a joint replacement or spinal rods, you can usually have an EOS scan without any problem. EOS uses a very low-dose X-ray. It uses no magnet. So metal in the body is not the safety concern it can be with MRI. A pacemaker or other electronic device does not stop you having an EOS scan either.
Key points
- EOS imaging uses X-rays, not a magnetic field. So metal implants do not carry the risks linked with MRI.
- Joint replacements, spinal instrumentation, plates, screws and wires are all compatible with EOS scanning.
- Pacemakers, cochlear implants and other electronic devices do not need to be checked for EOS compatibility the way they do for MRI.
- EOS delivers about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
- If you are not sure whether our scan suits your situation, you can check who our scan is suitable for.
Why is metal in the body a concern for some scans?
The concern comes mainly from MRI. An MRI scanner creates a powerful magnetic field. Any ferromagnetic metal, meaning metal that is attracted to a magnet, can move, heat up, or distort the image. That is why MRI centres ask detailed questions about implants, surgical clips, shrapnel and electronic devices before every scan.
Pacemakers and cochlear implants contain electronics. A strong magnetic field can interfere with them. Some newer devices are labelled "MR conditional". But checking compatibility is complex. It must be done by the team that fitted the implant, not by an imaging clinic.
Standard X-ray and CT also use radiation rather than magnetism. So metal itself is not dangerous during those scans. However, dense metal can create bright streaks on the image, sometimes called metal artefact. These can hide the detail a surgeon or specialist needs to see.
How does an EOS scan work if you have metal in your body?
An EOS scan uses a narrow, sweeping X-ray beam. It captures the whole body from head to foot in a single standing image. Because it is an X-ray technique, there is no magnetic field at any point. Metal implants stay exactly where they are. There is no pulling, no heating and no interference with electronic devices.
The image quality around metal is also better than you might expect. EOS technology was designed partly to image people after surgery. This includes people with hip replacement or knee replacement hardware and spinal instrumentation. The system reduces much of the scatter that causes bright artefact lines on ordinary X-rays.
Because the scan is done standing, your specialist sees how your implant is performing under real weight-bearing load. A lying-down scan cannot give that information. Learn more about EOS compared with X-ray, CT and MRI.
How do different scans compare for people with implants?
Each type of scan reacts with metal in a different way. The table below gives a general overview. For advice about your own device, always check with the team who fitted it.
| Factor | EOS | Standard X-ray | CT | MRI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uses a magnetic field | No | No | No | Yes (very strong) |
| Metal implants generally tolerated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Case by case |
| Pacemaker / electronic device concern | None | None | None | Significant |
| Metal artefact on image | Reduced | Moderate | Can be significant | Can be significant |
| Standing, weight-bearing image | Yes | Sometimes (limited area) | No (lying down) | No (lying down) |
| Radiation dose | Very low | Standard | Higher | None (no radiation) |
What happens when you book a scan with metal implants?
You do not need to do anything special. The process at ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging is simple.
Free video consultation
A specialist radiographer goes through your history, confirms EOS is suitable and answers any questions about your implants.
Safety questionnaire
Before your appointment, you fill in a short form listing any implants, devices or past surgeries. This helps us plan the best scan for you.
Your scan
You stand in the EOS unit for under a minute. In most cases you do not need to change into a gown. Jewellery over the scan area may need to be taken off for a short time.
Your report
A consultant radiologist reviews the images and prepares a detailed report. You can share it with your specialist or surgeon.
If you have an implant card (the small card or document you were given after surgery), it helps to keep it with you at your consultation. But it is not essential.
When MRI is the better choice. EOS is excellent at showing bones, joints and whole-body alignment under load. For soft-tissue detail, such as discs, nerves, ligaments or cartilage, MRI is usually the more suitable tool. If your clinician needs soft-tissue imaging and you have metal implants, the decision on whether MRI is suitable rests with the team that fitted the implant and the MRI centre, not with us. We are happy to discuss which type of scan best answers your clinical question during a free consultation.
Before you start treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will actually help.
Not sure if an EOS scan is right for you? You can check who our scan is suitable for or speak with our radiographer free of charge.
Book a free video consultationFrequently asked questions
Yes. Joint replacements are routinely imaged with EOS. In fact, standing EOS imaging is one of the best ways to assess how a replacement is performing under real weight. This is because it captures the whole limb and pelvis in one upright image.
Yes. EOS uses X-rays, not a magnetic field. Pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and other heart devices are not affected by the scan in any way.
Metal can create some bright areas on any X-ray based image. However, EOS technology greatly reduces the scatter that causes these artefacts. So the bone and alignment detail around the metal usually stays clear.
It helps if you have one, but it is not essential for an EOS scan. Unlike MRI, there is no need to check whether your implant is compatible with a magnetic field.
All types of spinal instrumentation are compatible with EOS. Checking alignment alongside the hardware is one of the most common reasons people have a standing EOS scan after spinal surgery.
Whether MRI is suitable depends on the type of implant you have. That decision must be made by the team that fitted the implant and the MRI centre, not by us. If you need soft-tissue detail, MRI may be the right choice. But the safety assessment is separate from anything we do at ScanAlign.
EOS delivers about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This makes it one of the lowest-dose skeletal imaging methods available.
No. You can book directly yourself. The process starts with a free video consultation with our specialist radiographer, who will confirm the scan is clinically suitable for you.
The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation, which you can arrange when you check your suitability and book.
Electronic implants such as cochlear devices, nerve stimulators and insulin pumps are not affected by an EOS scan. The scanner does not produce a magnetic field, so there is no risk of interference.
Have metal implants? No problem.
Speak with our radiographer for free. We will confirm an EOS scan is right for you and answer any questions about your implant.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- Deschênes S, et al. "EOS low-dose radiography: a reliable alternative for the follow-up of patients with metal implants." European Radiology, 2012.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). "Safety Guidelines for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment in Clinical Use." MHRA, 2021.
- American College of Radiology. "ACR Guidance Document on MR Safe Practices." Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2020.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.