About a hand MRI scan
The hand has 27 bones, including the metacarpals in the palm and the phalanges in the fingers, held together by small ligaments and moved by flexor tendons on the palm side and extensor tendons on the back. These structures are small and closely packed, so injuries can be hard to see on an X-ray.
A hand MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves, not X-rays, to show the bones and soft tissues in detail. It is often used after a finger injury that is not healing as expected, to look for partial or complete tears of the tendons or ligaments, including the volar plate (a ligament on the palm side of the finger joints) and the collateral ligaments either side of each joint. A study of finger injuries found that MRI showed whether tendon and ligament tears were partial or complete, which helps surgeons plan treatment.
MRI is also used to look at inflammation of the joints and tendon sheaths, for example in rheumatoid arthritis, and to investigate lumps such as ganglion cysts. Left and right hands are separate scans. The wrist and thumb have their own scans, so choose those if your symptoms are mainly there.
What happens during the scan
Depending on the scanner, you either lie on your back with your hand by your side, or lie on your front with your arm stretched above your head (the “superman” position), with a small coil around your hand. The scanner is loud, so you will wear ear plugs or headphones, and you need to keep your hand very still, as small movements can blur the pictures. Contrast dye is sometimes used to look at inflammation or a lump; where contrast is needed, it is charged separately.
What the scan can show
A hand MRI can help to look at:
- tears of the flexor and extensor tendons
- ligament injuries of the finger joints, including volar plate and collateral ligament tears
- hidden (occult) fractures and bone bruising
- inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation of the tendon sheaths (tenosynovitis)
- ganglion cysts and other lumps, such as giant cell tumours of the tendon sheath
- bone and soft-tissue infection
Preparing for your scan
No special preparation is needed, and you can eat and drink normally. You will be asked to remove rings, watches and bracelets; if a ring will not come off, tell the centre before your appointment. Nail varnish and false nails are usually fine, but check with the centre if they contain metallic glitter. Upload any previous X-ray or ultrasound reports when you book.
You can usually eat, drink and take your normal medicines unless the scanning centre tells you otherwise. Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal zips or buttons, and leave jewellery at home. You will be asked to remove metal items such as hair clips, hearing aids, coins and keys, and you may be asked to change into a gown.
Before the scan you will complete a safety questionnaire. Tell the team if you have a pacemaker, any metal implant, surgical clips or other device, if you have kidney problems or allergies, or if you are, or might be, pregnant or breastfeeding. If you feel anxious in enclosed spaces, let us know when you book. Some centres can offer a relaxant, and if you take one you will need someone to take you home and must not drive for 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What if I cannot take my ring off?
Tell the scanning centre before your appointment. Metal rings must be removed for an MRI of the hand, as they can heat up and spoil the pictures. If swelling makes this difficult, the centre will advise you.
Can MRI show a torn tendon in my finger?
Yes. MRI can show whether a tendon or ligament is partly or completely torn, and how far the ends have pulled apart, which helps your surgeon decide on treatment.
Do I need to book the left or right side?
Yes. Each hand is a separate scan. If you need both, book them together, as two or more areas booked together qualify for the lower clubbed price.
Do I need a referral?
You can tell us if you have a referral from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant and upload it when you book. If you do not have one, select “no referral” when you book and the scanning centre will confirm the next steps with you.
Sources
- Role of MRI on fingers in diagnosis of post-traumatic tendon and ligament injuries (Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 2021)
- Tendons and tendon sheaths of the hand – an update on MRI (2022 review)
- RadiologyInfo.org – Musculoskeletal MRI
- NHS – MRI scan
The information on this page has been gathered from various sources and is provided for general information only. It is not medical advice. TOP MRI is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Please speak to your doctor or the scanning centre about your own situation.