Skip to content
Cart
Sampling fee?

The sample collection fee is a fixed cost that refers to the visit to the clinic where you submit your sample. The fee is not affected by how many tests you have ordered, but varies depending on the order value:

  • For order values under SEK 350, the sampling fee is SEK 129.
  • For order values between SEK 350 and SEK 1000, the fee is SEK 59.
Free sampling fee

For purchases over 1000 SEK, the sampling fee is included.

Give a health check as a Christmas gift 🎁 Get 10 % discount on everything with code JUL10
Testmottagningen logo
en
sv
Testmottagningen logo
Search blood tests or MRI scans

Avoid long waiting times for an MRI – get quick answers about your back problems

2025-11-13

Avoid long waiting times for an MRI – get quick answers about your back problems

An MRI scan can help determine the cause of your back pain – but through public healthcare, the wait can be long. By booking a private MRI, you can get both the examination and your results much faster.

Give a health check as a Christmas gift – Get 10% with the code JUL10 at Testmottagningen.se.

Read more

Contents

Quick version

What is an MRI scan of the back?

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an advanced examination method that provides clear images of bones and soft tissues. MRI is often used to obtain detailed information about the structures of the spine and is an effective method for identifying the causes of pain, numbness, or other neurological symptoms.

What can an MRI of the back detect?

An MRI can provide answers and reveal changes that are not visible on regular X-rays or CT scans. If you experience back pain or other back-related issues, an MRI can detect conditions such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, vertebral changes, tumors, metastases, and inflammation.

MRI in public healthcare

To undergo an MRI scan within the public healthcare system, you need a referral from a doctor. The referral is then assessed by the radiology department, and certain conditions are prioritized, such as suspected tumors or nerve involvement.

Waiting times can be long

In public healthcare, waiting times for MRI scans can vary from several weeks to months. This is because availability is based on medical prioritization — the doctor assesses whether an MRI is necessary and how urgent each individual case is. For back problems that are not considered acute, waiting times can be long, especially if the doctor recommends trying other treatment options first.

Private MRI – a faster path to answers

If you want to avoid long waiting lists, you can choose to have an MRI privately. At Testmottagningen.se, we offer MRI scans of specific parts of the back for those who want to investigate pain or other issues, such as MRI lumbar spine, MRI thoracic spine, and MRI full spine. For those who do not have pain but wish to undergo a scan for screening purposes, we also offer MRI full body.

Report from a specialist doctor

After your examination, your images are reviewed by a specialist doctor (radiologist) who writes a report on the findings. One of our doctors then reviews the report, provides a medical assessment, and gets back to you with the results and advice on next steps. If any abnormalities are found, we help you move forward – either with a referral to the appropriate healthcare provider or with advice on suitable follow-up.

Benefits of a private MRI

  • Fast booking and short waiting time.
  • Possibility to have the scan without a referral.
  • Clear written report from a radiologist.

When should you seek medical care urgently?

Although back problems are common and most conditions are harmless, there are certain cases that require urgent medical assessment. Seek emergency care if you experience:

  • Sudden, severe pain with numbness or weakness in the legs.
  • Loss of sensation in the genital area or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels.
  • Fever, weight loss, or a general feeling of being unwell.

Questions and answers

MRI scanning (magnetic resonance imaging) is a very safe and gentle method. Unlike regular X-rays or computed tomography (CT), no X-rays are used. Instead, images are created using powerful magnetic fields and radio waves, which makes MRI completely radiation-free.

MRI is used daily in healthcare and has no known long-term side effects in healthy people. The examination is therefore safe to perform even on repeated occasions or for sensitive groups, such as children or pregnant women after week 12 - if there is a medical indication.

There are certain restrictions on metal in the body, such as pacemakers, implants or old surgical clips, because the magnetic field can affect these. Therefore, all patients must fill out a safety form before the examination. MRI is also safe for the vast majority of people with claustrophobia, but you can be sedated before the examination if necessary.

Yes, cancer can often be detected with the help of an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging). MRI is one of the most advanced methods for visualizing soft tissues, organs, bones and the nervous system – and provides very detailed images without using X-rays.

MRI is often used when tumors in the brain, spine, prostate, liver, pancreas, ovaries or other organs are suspected. The examination helps the doctor see the size, shape, spread and relationship of the tumor to surrounding tissue.

It is important to know that MRI alone cannot always confirm whether a change is benign or malignant. In some cases, additional investigation with biopsy, blood tests or other imaging methods is needed. However, MRI is often the best first step when cancer is suspected.

Many modern pacemakers are MRI-compatible, but not all. This must always be checked before the examination.

The examination itself is the same regardless of whether your referral comes from public or private healthcare. In public healthcare, a referral is required and the waiting time can be long, while private options often offer appointments more quickly and you don’t need a referral.

MRI provides detailed images of the bones, soft tissues, and nerves, and is an effective method for detecting herniated discs, stenosis, inflammation, or tumors.

If you have pain that does not improve after several weeks, or if you experience tingling, numbness, or reduced strength, an MRI should be considered.

The price varies depending on which examination you choose. At Testmottagningen, an MRI of different parts of the spine costs between approximately 5,000–15,000 SEK.

Relaterade tester

MRI Full Body

MRI Full Body

Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Magnetic camera examination of the full body
  • Recommended for those who are healthy for screening purposes
  • Detailed examination with magnetic camera
  • MRI full body, referral sent directly

21 995 kr

MRI Lumbar spine
  • MRI of the lumbar spine shows vertebrae, discs, nerves and facet joints in detail.
  • Recommended for back pain, sciatica or nerve damage.
  • MRI provides sharp images – completely without radiation.
  • Referral and specialist opinion included.

5 995 kr

MRI Thoracic spine

MRI Thoracic spine

Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of the middle part of the spine.
  • Recommended for pain between the shoulder blades, stiffness or suspected inflammation.
  • Provides detailed images of the vertebrae, discs, spinal cord and nerve roots – completely without radiation.
  • The examination is painless and includes a referral and written opinion from a specialist.

4 995 kr

MRI fullback
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of the entire spine – cervical, thoracic and lumbar.
  • Recommended for those with more extensive or diffuse back problems.
  • Detailed and radiation-free examination with magnetic resonance imaging.
  • MRI of the entire back – referral sent immediately.

13 995 kr