A Hand & Wrist MRI is a safe, non‑invasive scan that creates detailed images of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues of your hand and wrist. It helps uncover causes of unexplained pain, stiffness, swelling or injury when basic tests (like X‑rays or ultrasound) don’t give clear answers.
At Pall Mall Medical, we offer fast access to high‑quality MRI imaging and a comprehensive follow‑up report, no waiting lists or GP referral needed.
An MRI can help identify a wide range of conditions, including:
Bone fractures or hidden bone injuries (e.g. wrist, metacarpal or finger bones)
Soft tissue problems: tendon or ligament tears, tendonitis, tendon sheath issues or overuse damage
Joint disorders such as arthritis, cartilage damage or inflammation of joint linings
Nerve‑related issues (for example, nerve compression syndromes) that might explain numbness, tingling or pain in hand/wrist
Cysts, ganglions or other soft tissue lumps around joints or tendons
Because the hand and wrist have many small, interlinked parts — bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves - MRI is often the most informative, patient‑friendly way to evaluate unexplained or persistent symptoms.
A scan can be particularly helpful if you have:
Persistent pain, swelling or stiffness in your hand or wrist
Difficulty moving your fingers or wrist - reduced grip, limited motion
Symptoms like tingling, numbness or weakness in hand or wrist
A history of injury or trauma (falls, impacts, sports injuries) where the cause isn’t obvious on X‑rays
Suspected tendon, ligament or soft‑tissue damage where other tests gave no clear diagnosis
| Area | Price |
|---|---|
| Wrist (single) | £249 |
| Wrist (both) | £443 |
| Hand (single) | £388 |
| Hand (both) | £653 |
No GP referral required
Fast access – book directly with same-week appointments
Highly experienced radiologists
Comfortable wide-bore scanner for reduced claustrophobia
Clear, easy-to-understand radiologist report
Next steps support
Our expert team is always on hand to help answer any queries and arrange appointments with our specialist consultants.
A Hand and Wrist MRI scan is used to diagnose injuries and conditions affecting the bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves and soft tissues. It helps identify pain, swelling, fractures, tendon tears, ligament damage, arthritis and nerve compression when X-rays or ultrasound haven’t given clear answers.
You may need a Hand or Wrist MRI if you have persistent pain, reduced grip strength, swelling, numbness, tingling, clicking, locking, or limited movement. It is also recommended after trauma, repetitive strain, sports injuries or if symptoms continue despite rest or physiotherapy.
A Hand & Wrist MRI can detect tendon injuries, ligament tears (including scapholunate ligament), TFCC tears, ganglion cysts, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, stress fractures, bone bruising, joint inflammation, cartilage damage and soft-tissue masses.
Yes. An MRI provides detailed images of both bone and soft tissues, making it more effective than X-ray for diagnosing tendon tears, ligament injuries, cartilage damage, nerve compression and early-stage arthritis that X-rays cannot detect.
A typical Hand or Wrist MRI scan takes around 15–30 minutes, depending on whether both areas are being scanned. The scan is painless and non-invasive.
No. You can self-refer for a private Hand and Wrist MRI scan and book directly without needing a GP or NHS referral.
Absolutely. MRI is one of the most accurate imaging methods for detecting wrist tendon injuries, ligament tears, TFCC damage and soft-tissue inflammation that are commonly missed on X-ray.
Yes. MRI is ideal for evaluating sports-related hand and wrist injuries, including sprains, tendon strains, TFCC tears, fractures, joint instability and repetitive strain injuries.
A member of our team will be in touch with you to discuss your requirements.
