Concierge imaging · London
Private knee 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 ligament and meniscal tears to cartilage wear, sports injuries and post-op review.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named clinician throughout
You deal with one person the whole way - not a call centre or an online form.
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Genuinely independent
No clinic pays for our recommendation. We match you on merit, and it costs you nothing.
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A vetted joint-imaging panel
A small London network we re-check every six months for musculoskeletal reporting.
Indicative pricing
What a knee 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 knee MRI in our network: £275-£500, reported in 24-72 hours.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee MRI (single knee, without contrast) | £275–£500 | 20–30 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Both knees | £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 |
| Post-operative knee review | £300–£600 | 25–40 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Weight-bearing / dynamic knee MRI | Quoted case by case | Varies | 48–72 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
An X-ray shows bone. Your knee problem is usually soft tissue.
Ligaments, menisci and cartilage do not show on X-ray - and they are what usually go wrong in a knee. 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 knees 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 person, first message to final report - and usually done inside 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
20-30 minutes. Only your leg goes into the scanner, so your head usually stays outside the bore.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
- 07
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 knee has a lot of moving parts. These are the injuries and problems we are asked to look for most.
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ACL & ligament tears
The clearest test for a torn cruciate or collateral ligament after a twist or impact.
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Meniscal (cartilage) tears
Detects tears of the shock-absorbing menisci - a common cause of locking and catching.
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Cartilage damage & wear
Shows the smooth joint-surface cartilage and early changes not visible on X-ray.
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Arthritis & joint changes
Maps the extent of wear, bone-marrow change and inflammation within the joint.
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Tendon & muscle injury
Assesses the patellar and quadriceps tendons and surrounding soft tissues.
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Kneecap (patella) problems
Looks at tracking, dislocation and the cartilage behind the kneecap.
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Sports & impact injuries
A focused protocol for acute injury, from football and skiing to running overload.
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Post-surgery review
Assesses a repair or reconstruction and looks for a new or recurrent problem.
Knee MRI types
Not all knee scans are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard knee MRI
The everyday knee scan - ligaments, menisci, cartilage and bone. No injection needed.
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MR arthrogram
Contrast injected into the joint to show subtle cartilage and meniscal tears in fine detail.
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Sports injury protocol
Sequences tuned for acute ligament and cartilage injury, often booked same-week.
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Cartilage mapping
Specialist sequences that grade cartilage quality before or after surgery.
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Both-knee comparison
Images both knees in one visit when symptoms are bilateral or for a baseline.
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Post-operative knee
Tailored to assess an ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair or cartilage procedure.
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Weight-bearing MRI
Imaging while standing, to show problems that appear only under load.
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3T high-resolution knee
A stronger magnet for sharper detail of small ligaments and cartilage surfaces.
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 registration with a good or outstanding rating
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Joint imaging reported by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist
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3T scanners favoured for ligament and cartilage detail
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A consultant report within 72 hours as the norm
Safety and eligibility
One of the safest tests in medicine.
Only a few situations need a check - knee metalwork is 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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Knee replacements, screws and plates
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 knee scan is easier - usually only your leg enters the scanner, and your head stays outside the bore.
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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 knee report can look intimidating. It isn't.
Every knee report is laid out the same way, in four parts.
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, the knee that was scanned, and the question your referrer set.
- 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 short answer, up top - read this first. Your specialist talks it through with you.
Recognised by major UK insurers
What is covered depends on your policy and the clinic - we confirm with your insurer first.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about knee MRI.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, arthrograms, claustrophobia and results.
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What can a knee MRI show?
Ligament tears (including the ACL), meniscal cartilage tears, cartilage wear and arthritis, tendon injury, kneecap problems and the result of previous knee surgery - soft-tissue detail that X-ray cannot show.
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How much does a private knee MRI cost in London?
A single knee is typically £275-£500 in our network. An MR arthrogram or both knees cost more. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral for a knee MRI?
Most clinics accept self-referral for a standard knee MRI. An arthrogram needs a doctor to perform the injection - we can arrange a fast-track private GP or specialist.
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Will I need contrast (an injection)?
Not for a standard knee MRI. Contrast is used in an MR arthrogram, where it is injected into the joint to show subtle tears. We explain in advance if it is recommended.
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How long does a knee MRI take?
A standard knee MRI takes about 20-30 minutes. An arthrogram takes longer because of the injection. You lie on your back with your leg supported.
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Can I have a knee MRI if I am claustrophobic?
A knee scan is one of the easiest for claustrophobia - usually only your leg enters the scanner and your head stays outside the opening. Wide-bore options are available too.
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Can I still drive afterwards?
After a standard knee MRI, yes - there is no sedation and no recovery time. After an arthrogram we advise resting the joint for a day; we will tell you what to expect.
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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 a knee MRI?
Most policies cover knee MRI when it is 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 knee MRI safe?
With no ionising radiation, it is one of the safest tests there is. We simply check for certain metal implants beforehand.