Concierge imaging · London
Private foot & ankle MRI in London, read by a musculoskeletal radiologist.
We match you to a vetted London clinic, handle the booking, and stay with you through the consultant report - from sprains and Achilles injury to stress fractures, neuromas and post-op review.
Why patients choose us
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A named contact throughout
One clinician handles your case end to end - never a call centre.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
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A small, vetted panel
A short London list, re-reviewed every six months on scanners and reporting.
Indicative pricing
What a foot or ankle MRI actually costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A single foot or ankle MRI in our network: £275-£500, reported in 24-72 hours.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankle or foot MRI (single, without contrast) | £275–£500 | 20–35 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Both feet or both ankles | £450–£800 | 40–55 min | 24–72 hrs |
| MR arthrogram (with contrast injection) | £450–£850 | 45–60 min | 48–72 hrs |
| Sports injury protocol | £300–£550 | 25–40 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Forefoot / Morton’s neuroma protocol | £300–£550 | 25–40 min | 48–72 hrs |
| Post-operative review | £300–£600 | 25–40 min | 24–72 hrs |
Prices vary by clinic, time of day, scanner field strength (1.5T vs 3T), and whether a contrast arthrogram is used. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A rolled ankle rarely shows on X-ray. Soft tissue does on MRI.
The ligaments, tendons and cartilage that usually drive foot and ankle pain need MRI to see. The right protocol, a 3T scanner and a musculoskeletal radiologist reading it are what turn a scan into an answer. We handle all three.
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Not sure if you need one?
We will say honestly - sometimes physiotherapy or a specialist review is the better first step.
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Standard scan or arthrogram?
Most feet and ankles need a standard MRI; some subtle tears are clearer with a contrast arthrogram. We advise which.
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Not sure who reads it?
We route to clinics where a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist reports the study.
The journey
From enquiry to report - what happens, in order.
One concierge from first message to report - typically under a week.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~30 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which protocol, which clinic, indicative price. If a scan is not the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and safety check
Change into shorts or a gown, remove anything metallic. We have pre-completed the safety questionnaire.
- 05
On the day
In the scanner
20-35 minutes. Only your foot and leg go into the scanner, so your head stays outside the bore - easy for claustrophobia.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
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After
Report and next steps
Consultant musculoskeletal radiologist report in 24-72 hours. We route it to your GP or specialist.
Typical end-to-end: 3-7 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
Find the reason that matches your symptom.
A rolled ankle, heel pain or a niggle that will not heal each point somewhere different. These are the ones we see most.
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Sprains & ligament tears
The clearest test for a torn ankle ligament after a bad sprain or repeated rolling.
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Achilles & tendon injury
Assesses the Achilles and other tendons for tears, tendinopathy and rupture.
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Stress fractures & bone bruising
Shows stress fractures and bone-marrow oedema long before they appear on X-ray.
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Cartilage & osteochondral damage
Detects damage to the joint-surface cartilage of the ankle, a common cause of deep pain.
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Nerve pain & Morton’s neuroma
Looks for Morton’s neuroma and nerve entrapment such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
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Arthritis & joint wear
Maps arthritis and inflammation across the ankle and the small joints of the foot.
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Plantar fasciitis & heel pain
Assesses the plantar fascia and heel when persistent under-foot pain will not settle.
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Post-surgery review
Assesses a repair or fusion and looks for a new or recurrent problem.
Foot & ankle MRI types
Not all foot and ankle scans are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard ankle MRI
The everyday ankle scan - ligaments, tendons, cartilage and bone. No injection needed.
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Standard foot MRI
Images the midfoot and forefoot for pain, swelling and unexplained symptoms.
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MR arthrogram
Contrast injected into the joint to show subtle cartilage and ligament tears in fine detail.
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Sports injury protocol
Sequences tuned for acute ligament and tendon injury, often booked same-week.
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Forefoot / neuroma
A focused study for Morton’s neuroma and forefoot pain between the toes.
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Achilles protocol
Dedicated views of the Achilles tendon for tendinopathy and partial tears.
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Post-operative
Tailored to assess a repair or fusion and separate it from a new problem.
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3T high-resolution
A stronger magnet for sharper detail of the small ligaments and tendons.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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CQC-registered and rated good or outstanding
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Foot and ankle studies read by a musculoskeletal radiologist
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3T scanners preferred for small ligaments and tendons
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A 72-hour report turnaround as standard
Safety and eligibility
One of the safest tests in medicine.
A few things are checked first - screws and plates from past surgery are common and rarely an issue. We confirm before you arrive.
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Pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators
Many modern devices are MR-conditional. We check the model before booking.
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Plates, screws and fusion hardware
Almost always MRI-safe. They may cause local artefact but rarely a safety concern.
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Aneurysm clips and vascular coils
Model and date of insertion matter. We need this from your hospital.
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Metal fragments (eye, shrapnel)
May need a prior orbit X-ray. We arrange this where required.
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Claustrophobia
A foot or ankle scan can often be done feet-first, with your head outside the opening - one of the easiest for claustrophobia.
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Dental work, tattoos, coils
Almost always fine. Iron-based tattoo ink may warm slightly - tell the radiographer.
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Pregnancy
No ionising radiation. Generally safe, particularly after the first trimester. Contrast avoided unless essential.
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Kidney function
A recent eGFR is needed if a contrast arthrogram is planned.
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Weight and size
Most scanners accommodate up to 200 kg. Wide-bore options for larger patients.
Reading your report
A foot or ankle report can look intimidating. It isn't.
Whether ankle or forefoot, the report follows the same four sections.
A quiet reminder
It is written in clinical shorthand for your specialist, not for you.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the question
Your details, whether ankle or foot was scanned, and the referrer’s question.
- 02 Technique
How the scan was done
Which sequences were used (proton density, T2, fat-suppressed). Each highlights soft tissue and bone differently.
- 03 Findings
What the radiologist saw
A structure-by-structure description of ligaments, menisci, cartilage and bone, including any incidental findings.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The bottom line, first - read this. Your specialist works through the rest with you.
Recognised by major UK insurers
What is covered depends on your policy and clinic - we confirm with your insurer first.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about foot and ankle MRI.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, arthrograms, claustrophobia and results.
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What can a foot or ankle MRI show?
Ligament sprains and tears, Achilles and tendon injury, stress fractures and bone bruising, cartilage damage, Morton’s neuroma and nerve entrapment, arthritis and plantar fasciitis - detail X-ray cannot show.
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How much does a private foot or ankle MRI cost in London?
A single foot or ankle is typically £275-£500 in our network. An arthrogram or imaging both sides costs more. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for a standard foot or ankle MRI. An arthrogram needs a doctor to perform the injection - we can arrange a fast-track private GP or specialist.
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Should I scan the foot or the ankle?
It depends on where the pain is. Heel and Achilles pain usually means the ankle; forefoot pain and neuromas mean the foot. Tell us your symptoms and we match the right study.
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Will I need contrast (an injection)?
Not for a standard foot or ankle MRI. Contrast is used in an MR arthrogram to show subtle cartilage and ligament tears. We explain in advance if it is recommended.
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How long does it take?
A standard foot or ankle MRI takes about 20-35 minutes. An arthrogram takes longer because of the injection. You lie on your back with the foot supported.
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Can I have it if I am claustrophobic?
A foot or ankle scan is one of the easiest for claustrophobia - it can often be done feet-first, with your head outside the opening. Wide-bore options are available too.
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How quickly will I get the results?
A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist reports it, usually within 24-72 hours. With your consent we pass the report and images to your GP or specialist.
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Will my insurance cover it?
Most policies cover foot and ankle MRI when clinically indicated and pre-authorised. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Healix, and we arrange the pre-authorisation.
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Is a foot or ankle MRI safe?
With no ionising radiation, it is one of the safest tests there is. We simply check for certain metal implants beforehand.