MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries

On average, most MRI scans last between 20 and 60 minutes, but in some cases, they can take longer. The length of your scan depends on how many images need to be taken and if an MRI contrast injection is required.

MRI contrast is often used during an MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries to help create clearer, more detailed images. A small cannula will be placed in a vein in your arm to allow the contrast dye to be gently injected. This enhances the scan, helping our expert musculoskeletal radiologists see as clearly as possible.

In most cases, you are lying on your back (supine) on the MRI scan table, either feet-first or head-first. The direction you lie in is dependent on what area of the body is to be scanned. For example:

• Head, neck and thoracic spine scans use head-first orientation
• Feet, ankle and knee scans use feet-first orientation
• Abdomen, pelvis or lumbar spine scans can, in most cases, be in either direction

Some MRI scans, however, may require you to lie on your front (Prone) for your scan; these include hand, wrist, elbow and breast MRI scans. Your Radiographer will explain and position you accordingly to the scanner type and coil choice for your particular MRI scan.

Some of our specialist MRI scans may require you to fast for a few hours prior to your MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries scan, or to arrive early to drink a preparation. If this is a requirement for your scan, this will be communicated to you at the time of your booking for your scheduled MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries appointment.

Yes, in most cases you’ll still be able to have an MRI scan, but it may take longer to schedule your appointment.

If you have a pacemaker or another type of implant inside your body, it is very important that the radiography team is made aware of this implant before you come for your MRI scan.

We may need time to request additional documented evidence of the make and model number of your device, who carried out the surgery, and/or in which facility you had the device implanted.

This information will allow the radiography team to establish the safety rating of the implant*, have the radiologist protocol your MRI scan and prepare any safety measures required to carry out your MRI scan safely.

In some cases, implants may require the presence of specialist staff to attend your MRI scan. They may be needed to fit additional kit to your device to make it safe or to monitor you during your scan.

Pacemaker patients, for example, will require a cardiac technician to be present to put your pacemaker into ‘safe mode’ and to reset it when the scan is complete.

*Please note that if your implanted device is found not to be compatible for any reason, then this will be communicated to you and/or your referring doctor or consultant. If you have any further questions or need advice about what alternative imaging techniques are available to you, please consult your doctor or consultant.

Yes, you can. If you require a copy of your images for any reason, please let the radiographer know at the time of your scan. 

We have a dedicated team that provides this service and they’re reachable via email at any time after your scan. You’ll need to tell them your full name, date of birth and address, the type of scan you had and the date it took place*. 

The team will then be able to contact you (via email) when your images are available and provide instructions on how to access your images. You’ll be able to download a copy of your images for yourself and/or share the images with anyone of your choosing.

*Please be aware that if you do not provide the required information to process your request, this may delay access to your images. 

The cost of your MRI scan varies, depending on what body part (or parts) are to be scanned, whether contrast dye is required and if any specialist teams are needed in addition to your MRI scan. 

If you need to find out more about our MRI costs, please call the Self Pay team on 0207 234 2948, so we can  put you in touch with the relevant team at your chosen facility.

In most cases, we would prefer to do the MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries scan after the baby is born for the safety of you and your unborn child. However, if your referring doctor believes your particular health issue may be of an urgent nature and the risks of not doing the MRI outweigh the risks to you and the baby, then an MRI may be considered in this case. 

Your referring doctor will communicate the risks and benefits of this procedure to you, for your consent and consult our consultant radiologist for advice prior to agreeing to your MRI scan.

Children under the age of 16 cannot be left unattended while you have your scan. Please arrange childcare for when you visit our facilities for an MRI scan.

However, if you have an adult family member with you when you are visiting us, then they’ll need to be responsible for your child/children while you have your scan.

Please be aware that if you have brought a child with you for a consultation with one of our doctors and they refer you for an MRI scan on the same day, you’ll need to find childcare if you wish to stay for your scan.

Our staff cannot be responsible for your dependents while you undergo any imaging procedure at our facilities. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with our policy that ensures the safety of your children.

In order for you to make an appointment for an MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries scan, we must first receive a referral letter (imaging request form) from your GP or other registered health professional with referral rights. You can also book an appointment with one of our HCA UK private GPs, who can refer you directly for your MRI scan with us.

If your MRI scan showed nothing abnormal, but you’re still experiencing pain, it could mean that the source of your pain wasn’t visible on the scan. MRI scans can miss causes of pain such as nerve pain, soft tissue injuries, inflammation, functional disorders and referred pain. 

We know it can be a worrying time, but further tests and scans can help us diagnose the cause of your ongoing pain. Your consultant will talk you through the next steps and may refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or physiotherapist.