Private MRI Scans
Author
Discussion

jmn

Original Poster:

1,274 posts

309 months

Yesterday (16:07)
quotequote all
A long wait in my area so I'm going to have to go private.

I'll want a Lumbar Scan

Are all MRI Scanning Machines much the same or are some better than others?

Any recommendations for SW England?

TheHeadhunter

11,485 posts

149 months

Yesterday (16:44)
quotequote all
jmn said:
A long wait in my area so I'm going to have to go private.

I'll want a Lumbar Scan

Are all MRI Scanning Machines much the same or are some better than others?

Any recommendations for SW England?
I can't help with SW as I'm Cheshire, but no, MRI are not all the same. They range from 0.2/0.5T to 3T.

3T is the highest strength and give sharper images, that said, but a lumbar area, a 1.5T would be sufficient.

From experience, a private MRI with report is c£1000.

jmn

Original Poster:

1,274 posts

309 months

Yesterday (16:50)
quotequote all
TheHeadhunter said:
I can't help with SW as I'm Cheshire, but no, MRI are not all the same. They range from 0.2/0.5T to 3T.

3T is the highest strength and give sharper images, that said, but a lumbar area, a 1.5T would be sufficient.

From experience, a private MRI with report is c£1000.
Thanks. That's very helpful.

wombleh

2,377 posts

151 months

Yesterday (16:52)
quotequote all
I used Cobalt in Cheltenham to get a scan done a few years ago, a few others nearby have used them too:
https://www.cobalthealth.co.uk/

Mine was a scan for physio so not sure if they do specifically what you're after but MRI are listed.

OIC

510 posts

22 months

Yesterday (17:03)
quotequote all
The machines are all pretty similar.

The type of scan that gets done is what differs.

Have you had a good old fashioned X-ray?

You can get a lot of information from an X-ray.

All depends on what you're looking for.

Some details of symptoms would be helpful if you want to share.


hmg

921 posts

148 months

Yesterday (18:03)
quotequote all
It’s a postcode lottery,I’m in Cheshire.

I had an upper spine/kneck issue. Went to GP complaining of tingling in my arm and fingers.

GP referred me to consultant at our local Spire. Consultant asked me to have a conductivity test to rule out carpal tunnel,which proved it wasn’t..

Next stage was an MRI which was done about 3 weeks later,then another follow up with the consultant..The whole thing took 5 or 6 weeks.

I think generally you need to make a nuisance of yourself or exaggerate symptoms to get anything done nowadays..

jmn

Original Poster:

1,274 posts

309 months

Yesterday (18:20)
quotequote all
OIC said:
The machines are all pretty similar.

The type of scan that gets done is what differs.

Have you had a good old fashioned X-ray?

You can get a lot of information from an X-ray.

All depends on what you're looking for.

Some details of symptoms would be helpful if you want to share.
No X-ray yet but as you suggest that's probably a good place to start.



Bill

58,669 posts

284 months

Yesterday (18:29)
quotequote all
jmn said:
No X-ray yet but as you suggest that's probably a good place to start.
What's the question you want to answer? Could well be (likely, even) that an xray is pointless.

jmn

Original Poster:

1,274 posts

309 months

Yesterday (18:48)
quotequote all
Injured my lower back by falling down some stairs about 35 yes ago. GP came to or house and gave me some muscle relaxant meds which worked within 24 hrs. Until about 6 months ago no further problems.

Recently, and without any additional trauma, developed symptoms at r/h side of base of spine.

Getting up after , say, 30 mins seated discomfort in right leg hip area which would largely resolve after walking about 50m or so.

Main problem is at night in bed. I get to sleep very quickly usually but pain will wake me up several times in the night. No comfortable sleeping position.

If pain occurs during the day other than what is mentioned above it radiates from lower back down the outside of my right leg to calf level. Never to foot. No weakness in leg. Never any pain in left hip or leg.


Courser

151 posts

2 months

Yesterday (18:52)
quotequote all
I d try an X-ray first
What you describe could easily be arthritis.

To be fair though, I had a private mri years ago for shoulder pain that inadvertently found a tumour the size of a hens egg, so, you know , maybe the more informative scan is the way to go.

Edited by Courser on Tuesday 29th September 18:54

Leithen

14,007 posts

296 months

Yesterday (18:57)
quotequote all
Son had an MRI at Nuffield in Edinburgh on Monday. Sports back pain - thankfully some disc degeneration, not spondylolysis.

470 quid and the results 24 hrs later. Physios, coaches etc all on board and immediately know what to do.

Meanwhile I had neck ultrasound via NHS and a week afterwards a phone call from the local practice to book me in for a telephone appointment with Dr in three weeks time…

Hoping that means results not serious….

Courser

151 posts

2 months

Yesterday (19:02)
quotequote all
That’s where I had mine. First class service

danb79

13,738 posts

101 months

Yesterday (20:24)
quotequote all
When I started to have my ‘down below’ issues in 2021 and then ended up having ops in 2023 and 2024; I had to go private with MRI’s as the NHS were beyond stupid with their waiting times

They all cost me £1250 and that was via Ramsay Healthcare (Fulwood Hall and Buckshaw Hospital) Preston & Chorley, Lancashire

530dTPhil

1,420 posts

247 months

Yesterday (21:14)
quotequote all
I had an MRI three months ago by Practice Plus in Emersons Green near Bristol. Cost was £395 including report and post MRI consultation. This was for an abdominal scan.

Bill

58,669 posts

284 months

Yesterday (21:15)
quotequote all
jmn said:
Injured my lower back by falling down some stairs about 35 yes ago. GP came to or house and gave me some muscle relaxant meds which worked within 24 hrs. Until about 6 months ago no further problems.

Recently, and without any additional trauma, developed symptoms at r/h side of base of spine.

Getting up after , say, 30 mins seated discomfort in right leg hip area which would largely resolve after walking about 50m or so.

Main problem is at night in bed. I get to sleep very quickly usually but pain will wake me up several times in the night. No comfortable sleeping position.

If pain occurs during the day other than what is mentioned above it radiates from lower back down the outside of my right leg to calf level. Never to foot. No weakness in leg. Never any pain in left hip or leg.
Who have you seen about it?