Knee Assessment

You'll be matched with a member of our experienced clinical team, who have over 100 years of combined expertise in diagnosing musculoskeletal issues and managing knee pain.

Your knee assessment includes an MRI scan, which will be reviewed by an expert radiologist, who is a highly-trained doctor specialising in interpreting medical images. They will write a report of their findings, which will be explained to you by your dedicated clinician and shared with you.

A knee assessment MRI is fast and safe, with minimal preparation needed. The scan uses strong magnets, so you’ll need to remove metal items such as jewellery, belts, or dentures beforehand and may be asked to change into a medical gown. If you're pregnant or have metal implants (e.g. medical devices or fragments), an alternative scan may be recommended for your safety.

During the scan, you'll lie still on a flat table that moves you into the cylindrical scanner. Straps or blocks may be used to position your knee correctly. MRI scans can be noisy, so earplugs or headphones will be provided.

An MRI scan for knee assessment usually takes between 10-30 minutes, and your radiographer will explain the procedure when you arrive. Your overall appointment duration will also include any necessary safety checks and time to get changed and secure your belongings.

A knee MRI scan is usually carried out feet-first, which means only your legs will enter the scanner, which is shaped like a short tunnel or cylinder.

Some of our scanning centres provide open MRI scanners, which are designed for patients who might feel claustrophobic, with magnets either side of you, or above and below you.

After your knee assessment MRI scan, you can return to your day as normal and expect to receive your results within 7-10 working days. A highly-trained radiologist will review your images and write a report of their findings about your knee health. You’ll receive this report, along with a post-consultation call with our clinical team to discuss the results and any next steps.

A wide range of knee conditions can be diagnosed using MRI, including ruptures, tears, fractures, swelling, tumours, damage and dislocation.

A normal knee MRI will show a correctly positioned knee joint with healthy bone and soft tissues and no excess fluid. Excess fluid may appear bright white, while a dislocated knee would visibly be out of place. The ACL may appear dark in a healthy knee MRI, but when torn, the black line of the ligament is not clearly visible. Your radiologist will provide a report detailing their findings.