Patient lying on a scanner table with two clinicians beside the scanner

Wrist and Hand MRI Scan in London

Scans at partner imaging centres in London and across the UK. Consultations at Harley Street and Harrow.

A private wrist or hand MRI, reported by a consultant musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist, usually within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are available at partner imaging centres in London and across the UK, from £375 (scan and report only).

From £375 · scan and report only
Same-day appointments
Report usually within 24 hours

Call 0203 633 5040 Book online

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GMC / FRCR Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist

What a wrist or hand MRI shows

Scaphoid and other small-bone fractures that don't show on an X-ray
Ligament tears, including the scapholunate ligament
TFCC tears (the cartilage on the little-finger side of the wrist)
Tendon problems, such as De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Signs of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Ganglion cysts and other lumps
Loss of blood supply to a wrist bone (avascular necrosis)

When you might need one

Wrist pain after a fall onto an outstretched hand, even if the X-ray was normal
Pain on the thumb side or the little-finger side of the wrist that hasn't settled
Clicking, weakness or a feeling of instability in the wrist
Swelling and morning stiffness in the small joints of the hands or wrists
Before seeing a hand surgeon

What happens

1

Book

Call 0203 633 5040 or book online, and tell us briefly about your symptoms.
2

Safety check

We check that MRI is safe for you (for example pacemakers, implants or metal fragments) and that the scan suits your symptoms.
3

Your scan

At a partner imaging centre in London or elsewhere in the UK. It is painless, uses no X-rays and usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the area scanned.
4

Your report

A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist usually reports your scan within 24 hours.
5

Talk it through

Choose MRI with a consultation (from £425) and a consultant MSK radiologist will go through your findings and next steps with you.

Cost and what's included

Wrist or hand MRI from £375

Scan and report only

The wrist and the hand are separate scans. Tell us where it hurts and we'll help you choose.

With a consultation: from £425

Included in the price:

the scan at a partner imaging centre
a report from a consultant radiologist, usually within 24 hours
your digital images

See all prices

Pay by card; payment plans are available, so ask us for details. Using health insurance? Dr Sankaye is recognised by the major insurers and is Bupa fee-assured; call us and we'll help you check your cover.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private wrist or hand MRI cost?

A wrist or hand MRI at LSRI costs from £375. That includes the scan, a report from a consultant radiologist, usually within 24 hours, and your digital images. It does not include a consultation or advice on treatment. For that, choose MRI with a consultation, from £425. The wrist and the hand are separate scans.

My X-ray was normal but my wrist still hurts after a fall. Should I have an MRI?

It can help. A scaphoid fracture doesn't always show on an X-ray in the first days, and MRI can show it early. If your wrist is sore at the base of the thumb after a fall, tell us when you book, as it should be checked promptly.

How long does a wrist or hand MRI take?

Usually 20 to 40 minutes. You lie still with your hand in a small padded coil, either by your side or above your head, depending on the scanner. The scan is painless and uses no X-rays.

Do I need a GP referral?

Not if you are paying for yourself. Our team checks every request to make sure the scan suits your symptoms. If you are claiming on health insurance, your insurer may ask for a referral first.

How quickly will I get my results?

A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist usually reports your scan within 24 hours. If you would like to go through the results and next steps, choose MRI with a consultation, from £425. Whichever you choose, we will contact you if your report shows anything urgent or unexpected.

Which MRI scanner will I have?

Most scans are on a 1.5 Tesla scanner, which gives clear pictures of joints, tendons, nerves and bone. A 3 Tesla scanner is available at some London centres. Your consultant radiologist chooses how your scan is done for your symptoms.

Can I have more than one area scanned?

Yes. Each body part is a separate scan, each from £375 (scan and report only), and we confirm your total before you book.

Should I have an MRI or an ultrasound of my wrist or hand?

Ultrasound is good for tendons, ganglion cysts and the nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome, and can be done during a clinic visit. MRI is better for the small bones, the ligaments and the TFCC. If you are not sure which you need, call us and we'll advise.

Testimonials

What Our Patients Say

"Very good. Excellent. I rang, got answered, filled in form uploading gp referral letter and consultant opinion, got MRI next day, doctor video called me next day … Extremely smooth. 48 hours from first phone call to doctor video conference."

Roddy C. · Google review · October 2026

Our clinics

Two clinics, one team

Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, sees patients at Harley Street in central London and at our Northwest London clinic in Harrow. Call one number to book at either clinic.