MRI joint lower extremity without contrast
CPT 73721 • Imaging
North Carolina price range
Lowest
$30
Average
$289
Highest
$1,632
Based on 523 negotiated rates from NC hospitals.
About this procedure
An MRI of the knee without contrast — detailed images of the cartilage, ligaments (ACL/MCL), and meniscus. The standard test for sports knee injuries.
What to expect
30-45 minutes lying still in the MRI tube. No prep, no needle (since this is the without-contrast version). Tell the tech if you're claustrophobic — open MRIs and sedation are options. Imaging-center prices are typically 50-70% lower than hospital-based MRI for the same scan.
Top hospitals in NC
| Hospital | Rates | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATAWBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER HICKORY, NC | 3 | $59 | $69 | $79 |
| LAKE NORMAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER MOORESVILLE, NC | 2 | $30 | $48 | $67 |
| NMC Camp Lejeune Camp Lejeune, NC | 2 | $55 | $66 | $76 |
| HUGH CHATHAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ELKIN, NC | 2 | $55 | $73 | $91 |
| SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER LUMBERTON, NC | 2 | $58 | $74 | $91 |