We are operating normal hours over Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Take advantage of our Christmas Promotions.

Hip MRI Scan

Hip MRI Scan

A hip MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a safe, non-invasive procedure that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create highly detailed images of the bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your hip joint.

No GP referral needed. Safe, painless, and comfortable. Results reviewed by specialist radiologists and returned within 3 to 5 working days.

  Clinician advice included

No GP referral needed

Share results anywhere

Hip MRI Pricing

Excellent pricing that suits your health concerns.

Hip MRI Scan at Vitalscan

£375

What’s included
  • One-region MRI scan (hip – left or right)
  • Review of referral (if provided)
  • Full radiologist report
  • Access to digital scan images

  • Results within 3–5 working days

  • Pre and post-scan patient support

  • Comfortable scanning environment

  • Tea, coffee and cold drinks for free

  • Private consultation room (no waiting around in your gown)
  • Free parking & accessible parking available

Why would I need an Hip MRI scan?

A hip MRI scan is commonly used to investigate:

  • Hip and groin pain: Persistent pain in the hip joint or groin area, pain that worsens with activity or weight-bearing, and discomfort that limits walking or daily movement.
  • Labral problems: Hip labral tears, labral detachment or degeneration, and clicking or locking sensations in the hip.

  • Hip impingement: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), reduced range of motion, and pain when bending or rotating the hip.

  • Joint damage and arthritis: Hip osteoarthritis, cartilage loss or thinning, inflammatory arthritis, and early degenerative changes.
  • Sports and impact injuries: Stress fractures in the hip or pelvis, muscle or tendon tears (including hip flexor injuries), bone bruising, and trauma from falls or collisions.
  • Other conditions: Avascular necrosis (bone death due to reduced blood supply), bursitis (trochanteric or iliopsoas), and unexplained hip weakness or instability.
  • Post-surgical monitoring: Assessment after hip replacement, labral repair, or other hip procedures.

X-rays show bone structure but often miss soft tissue damage. MRI provides the comprehensive view needed to diagnose labral tears, cartilage damage, and soft tissue injuries that other imaging can’t detect.

private mri scan milton keynes

What does an Hip MRI Scan show?

An MRI produces detailed cross-sectional images that show:

  • Hip joint bones including the femoral head and acetabulum, revealing fractures, avascular necrosis, bone marrow abnormalities, and arthritis.
  • Labrum to identify tears, degeneration, or detachment in the ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket.
  • Articular cartilage assessing wear, damage, or thinning on the joint surfaces.
  • Tendons and muscles detecting tears, strains, or inflammation in the hip flexors, gluteal muscles, and other surrounding structures.
  • Ligaments examining the capsular ligaments that stabilise the hip joint.
  • Bursae identifying inflammation or fluid buildup in the trochanteric or iliopsoas bursae.
  • Bone marrow showing stress reactions, bone bruising, or signs of avascular necrosis.

MRI is particularly valuable for diagnosing femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears, conditions that frequently cause hip pain in active individuals but don’t show up on standard X-rays.

Who is a Hip MRI Scan suitable for?

A hip MRI scan is suitable if you:

  • Have persistent hip or groin pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatment
  • Experience clicking, catching, or a feeling of giving way in the hip
  • Have reduced range of motion or difficulty with activities like squatting or sitting
  • Suspect a labral tear or hip impingement
  • Need to evaluate cartilage damage or early arthritis
  • Have been advised by your physiotherapist, GP, or consultant to get an MRI

Important considerations

Most people can safely have an MRI. However, you may need additional checks if you have:

  • A pacemaker, cochlear implant, or other electronic device
  • Metal fragments, plates, or screws from previous surgery (usually safe, but we’ll confirm this with you)
  • Claustrophobia (we have a wide-bore scanner and can discuss options to make you comfortable)

If you’re pregnant or think you might be, let us know when booking. MRI is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but we’ll discuss your individual situation.

Preparation for your Hip MRI Scan

No special preparation is needed for a Hip MRI scan.

What to do before your scan:

  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zips or fastenings
  • Remove jewellery, watches, and piercings before the scan
  • Let us know if you have any metal implants or medical devices
  • Inform us if you’re pregnant or claustrophobic

You can eat and drink normally before your scan. There are no fasting requirements.

What to expect during your Hip MRI Scan

Step 1

Arrival and Prep

When you arrive at Vitalscan, you’ll be welcomed by our team and offered complimentary tea, coffee, or cold drinks. You’ll have a private room with a locker for your clothes and belongings.

Step 2

Getting ready

You’ll be asked to remove any jewellery, watches, and metal items. You’ll change into a comfortable gown. One of our radiographers will explain the scan and answer any questions.

Step 3

During the scan

You’ll lie flat on your back on the scanning table, with your hips positioned centrally in the scanner. Your whole body passes through the scanner bore, though the focus remains on your hip area. The scan takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Staying as still as possible during this time ensures the clearest images.

The scanner produces rhythmic tapping and knocking sounds throughout the procedure. We’ll provide headphones so you can listen to music or the radio. You’ll hold an emergency buzzer, allowing you to signal us if needed.

Step 4

After the scan

Once the scan finishes, you can get changed and leave immediately. There’s no recovery time needed, and you can drive and resume normal activities straight away.

You don’t need to wait around for results. We’ll email your full radiologist report and digital images within 3 to 5 working days. Our team remains available if you have any questions after your appointment.

Your results and radiologist report

Timing

Your scan results will be ready within 3 to 5 working days. We prioritise fast turnaround times so you can move forward with treatment quickly.

Who reviews your scan

Every scan is reviewed by a specialist musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist. Our radiologists are experienced in diagnosing hip injuries and conditions.

How you receive your results

You’ll receive a full radiologist report and digital images via email. You can share these with your GP, consultant, physiotherapist, or any healthcare provider. If your scan identifies something urgent, we’ll contact you directly.

Why choose Vitalscan for your Shoulder MRI Scan

  • Specialist radiology team: Your scan is reviewed by experienced MSK radiologists who specialise in hip injuries. Our radiology manager and senior radiographers ensure every scan meets the highest clinical standards.

  • Modern Philips 1.5T BlueSeal MRI: Our advanced scanner delivers high-quality images quickly and comfortably. The wide-bore design and patient entertainment options make the experience as relaxed as possible.

  • Fast appointments and results: Appointments available within days, not weeks. Results returned within 3 to 5 working days, so you can move forward with treatment quickly.

  • No referral needed: You can book directly with us. No need to wait for a GP referral or lengthy NHS waiting lists.

  • Comfortable, patient-focused care: Private changing rooms, complimentary refreshments, and a welcoming environment designed to make your experience as stress-free as possible.

Safety and Reassurance

MRI scans are safe, non-invasive, and do not use radiation. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, there’s no exposure to ionising radiation, making MRI a safe option for repeated scans if needed.

Is an MRI safe?

Yes. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images. There are no known long-term side effects.

Metal implants

Many metal implants are MRI-safe, including most surgical screws, plates, and hip replacements. We’ll ask about any implants when you book, and confirm safety before your scan.

Claustrophobia

Our wide-bore scanner and calming environment help reduce anxiety. If you’re worried about feeling enclosed, let us know and we’ll talk through ways to make you comfortable.

Contrast dye

Most hip MRI scans do not require contrast dye. If contrast is needed for your specific scan, we’ll discuss this with you beforehand. Contrast is safe for most people, though you’ll be asked about any kidney conditions or allergies.

Hip MRI FAQs

An MRI scan of the hip uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the hip joint, bones, cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues.

If you have ongoing hip or groin pain, reduced movement, or symptoms that aren’t explained by an X-ray or ultrasound, your consultant may recommend an MRI.

MRI scans provide a clear view of soft tissues such as cartilage, labrum, tendons, and muscles — helping detect labral tears, arthritis, or impingement that might not appear on X-rays.

No GP referral is required. You can book directly, and your results will be reviewed by a consultant MSK radiologist.

No. The scan is painless. You’ll just need to remain still while the scanner captures images. We provide ear protection to reduce noise during the procedure.

Usually around 20–30 minutes, depending on the scan.

No preparation is required. Please remove jewellery, belts, and any other metal items before your scan.

You’ll receive a full radiologist report and digital images within 3–5 working days.

Meet our clinical team

Alice Nitsche

Centre Manager

BSc (Hons), PgC MMR (Dist.)

Mahmoud Abdalla

Radiology Manager & CQC Manager

BSc (Hons), PGD

Abdelfattah Abdelrahman

Senior MRI Radiographer

DipMI, BSc (Hons), CPD (Diag Rad)

Jayme Brooks

Lead Imaging Assistant

Safiatou Jallow

Phlebotomist and Imaging Assistant

Mikhaela Ambagan

Services Coordinator

Easy to reach

Vitalscan is conveniently located near Central Milton Keynes train station, making us easy to reach by car or public transport.

Partnered with leading
health insurance providers

Partnered with leading health insurance providers

Getting the diagnostic tests you need shouldn’t be complicated. We’re proud to work with leading health insurance providers to make access to our services as seamless as possible.

Our patient pathway

Complete Booking

Schedule your scan online.

Confirmation

Receive booking info instantly.

Quality Check

Ensure scan accuracy & safety.

Scan Day

Attend your appointment.

Receive Results

Get your scan results quickly.

Sharing Report

Share findings with your doctor.

Ready to book your private MRI scan?

Ready to
book your scan?

Booking your scan is quick and easy – no referral needed and appointments available as soon as the same day. Get fast, accurate results for peace of mind.

Book a Hip MRI Scan

Patient reviews

Contact

01908 755556

100 Avebury Boulevard,
Milton Keynes, MK9 1FH

MRI Scans
More
Legal

Vitalscan is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and operates in accordance with all applicable healthcare standards. Our location ID is 1-14644634325. Our diagnostic imaging services are designed to support clinical decision-making but do not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by your own healthcare professional.

Go to Top