MRI — Musculoskeletal (Joints and Spine)

MRHK is a private, open-magnet MRI practice in Hradec Králové run by a certified radiologist using an Esaote low-field scanner to examine all major joints and all segments of the spine. The open architecture makes the experience far less claustrophobic than a conventional closed-bore tunnel scanner, and the clinic is entirely self-pay — meaning no referral is required and appointments are available within five working days, months ahead of the public hospital waiting list. You receive your digital images (USB or CD) before leaving and the written radiologist report by email within two working days. The service covers knees, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists and elbows, as well as cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine — everything musculoskeletal except brain, abdomen and contrast-enhanced studies.

Magnetická rezonance Hradec Králové (MRHK), operated by FOMEI s.r.o., is a dedicated private MRI centre situated in the sports and entertainment complex at Honkova 555/36 in the Kukleny district. The clinic was founded by FOMEI s.r.o. — the official Czech distributor of Esaote medical imaging systems — and uses an Esaote open low-field MRI scanner, the same category as the Esaote S-Scan Open that specialises in musculoskeletal examination. Unlike traditional closed-bore high-field machines, the open permanent-magnet design creates a much more spacious patient environment, making it genuinely comfortable for people who feel anxious in confined spaces and for patients with a larger body build. The access limits of this class of scanner are approximately 46 cm chest width and 28 cm depth, so most adult patients are accommodated without difficulty. The scope of scanning covers the full musculoskeletal system: all major peripheral joints including the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist and elbow, and all three spinal segments — cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back). What the clinic does not offer is brain or head MRI, abdominal or pelvic imaging, or contrast-enhanced (gadolinium) studies. If you need imaging of those regions you will need a different facility. A typical MSK scan at this class of Esaote device takes 15 to 30 minutes per body region. You are positioned on the scanner table by the technician; no tunnel encloses you. The machine produces the usual low background noise, and you are asked to remain still during each sequence. Because the magnet is a permanent magnet rather than a superconducting one, there is no liquid helium and no sudden quench risk. Preparation is minimal: remove all jewellery — especially piercings — as well as coins, credit cards, keys and your mobile phone before entering the scan room, since the magnetic field can damage cards and pull metallic objects. No referral is formally required to book, though bringing one from your orthopaedic surgeon or GP gives the radiologist the clinical context to tailor the protocol. You should inform the clinic in advance about any surgeries, implants, allergies or serious diagnoses. The examination is not possible if you have a cardiac pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or a cochlear implant, or if you have had surgery involving metallic implants such as screws, plates, total knee replacement or aneurysm clips within the past six weeks — in those cases the implant must be confirmed MRI-safe before scanning can proceed. At the end of the appointment you receive your images on a USB drive or CD. The written radiologist report from MUDr. Miroslav Šercl is delivered within two working days by email or in person; it can also be sent directly to your referring physician by email. There is no recovery period and you can resume all normal activities immediately. The key advantage of MRHK over the public university hospital in Hradec Králové is access time: university hospital waiting lists for non-urgent MRI run to three months or more, while the private clinic schedules appointments within five working days. This is particularly valuable for orthopaedic patients waiting on a diagnosis before physiotherapy or surgery, sports-injury cases where early imaging changes management, and anyone who prefers not to wait. The clinic is self-pay — Czech health insurance is not accepted — but the estimated price (around 2,500 Kč) is substantially below the 8,000–9,000 Kč charged by high-field private MRI providers using conventional closed-bore scanners.