Dr. Brian Gay from First Look MRI https://www.firstlookmri.com explains MRI safety and contraindications. Contraindications for undergoing an MRI scan for spine-related pain in the back, neck or leg include: Patients who have a heart pacemaker may not have an MRI scan Patients who have a metallic foreign body (metal sliver) in their eye, or who have an aneurysm clip in their brain, cannot have an MRI scan since the magnetic field may dislodge the metal