How Long Does It Take to Get Your Scan Results?
How long scan results take depends on the type of scan and where you have it done. In the UK, NHS X-ray or MRI results can take days or even weeks. At a private clinic like ScanAlign in London, a specialist radiologist reviews your standing EOS images and writes a detailed report. The report is then shared with you and with the clinician who referred you.
Key points
- In the UK, NHS scan results often take several days to weeks, depending on the type of scan and local demand.
- Private clinics can generally produce reports faster because the referral route is shorter.
- At ScanAlign, a specialist radiologist reviews your EOS images and writes a detailed report.
- You get a copy of your report and your images, so you can share them with any clinician.
- If anything urgent is found, you are contacted promptly.
Waiting for scan results is one of the most stressful parts of any medical test. You may have had an X-ray, an MRI or a CT scan. The question is always the same: how long until I know what is going on? The answer varies a lot. Knowing what affects it can make the wait easier.
What is included in scan results?
Scan results are more than a single picture. They usually include the images and a written report from a radiologist, the specialist doctor trained to interpret medical imaging. The report describes what has been seen, points out anything abnormal and gives a clinical opinion.
At ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging in London, your results include full-length standing images of your skeleton. These are taken in a natural, weight-bearing position. A specialist radiologist studies these images and writes a full alignment report. You can read more about how EOS scan results are reported.
How does the results process work at ScanAlign?
The process is simple. From booking to getting your report, each step is set up to keep things clear and efficient.
You can book your scan online or after a free video consultation. You do not need a referral from your doctor.
Your EOS scan is quick and comfortable. You stand naturally while the system captures full-length images with about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. Learn more about what to expect at an alignment assessment.
A specialist radiologist studies your images and measures your alignment from head to feet. They write a detailed report that covers the full biomechanical picture.
Your report and images are shared with you and, if relevant, with the clinician who referred you. Your images belong to you. You can share them with anyone involved in your care.
How long do NHS scan results take in the UK compared to private?
On the UK's NHS, standard X-ray results may take a few days. MRI and CT results can take one to two weeks, or sometimes longer. This depends on how many radiologists are available, how complex the scan is and local demand. Results are usually sent to the doctor who asked for the scan, not directly to you. This can add more waiting time.
Private clinics generally have shorter reporting routes. Because you are the one arranging the scan, the results come straight to you, as well as to the clinician who referred you.
- Report sent directly to you
- Shorter reporting routes
- You get your own images
- Easier to share with more than one clinician
- Results sent to the doctor who asked for the scan first
- Can take days to weeks
- A follow-up appointment is often needed to discuss them
- Images may not be given directly to you
How can you manage worry while waiting for scan results?
Waiting for results can feel unsettling, especially if you have been dealing with pain or uncertainty for a long time. That is completely normal. A few things can help:
- Ask when to expect results. Knowing the timeline takes away one layer of uncertainty.
- Write down your questions. When the results arrive, you will be ready to discuss them clearly with your clinician.
- Avoid reading too much about symptoms online. General information can add to your worry without making things clearer.
- Remember that the scan is a positive step. The right imaging is how you move from guesswork to a clear plan.
At ScanAlign, we keep you informed throughout the process. If something urgent is found on your images, you are contacted promptly so the right steps can be taken without delay.
A note about MRI and other scans. EOS imaging is excellent for showing bones, joints and whole-body alignment in a standing position. For soft tissue, discs or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. If your clinician has advised an MRI, those results follow a separate reporting process. ScanAlign focuses on standing skeletal alignment. This works alongside MRI findings rather than replacing them.
Before you start treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will actually help.
Not sure which scan you need? A free video consultation with our team can help you see whether standing EOS imaging is the right next step for you.
Book a free video consultationCommon questions about scan results
Private clinics generally have shorter reporting times than the UK's NHS because the referral route is more direct. The exact time depends on the clinic and how complex the scan is.
A specialist radiologist reviews your images and reports on them. The report is then shared with you and, where relevant, with the clinician who referred you. At ScanAlign, you get your own copy of the report and images.
In the UK, NHS MRI results usually take one to two weeks, though it can be longer depending on local demand. Results are usually sent to the doctor who asked for the scan rather than directly to you.
Some private clinics offer same-day or next-day reporting for certain scans. Timelines vary, so it is best to ask the clinic directly when you book.
No. ScanAlign accepts self-referrals. You can book directly without a letter from your doctor. A free video consultation helps confirm that standing EOS imaging is the right choice for you.
If the radiologist finds anything that needs urgent attention, you are contacted promptly so the right clinical steps can be taken without delay.
Yes. At ScanAlign, you get your images along with your written report. You can share them with any clinician involved in your care.
The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation, and you can find more answers on our frequently asked questions page.
Yes. EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. It is one of the lowest-dose skeletal imaging systems available.
A standard X-ray report looks at a single area. An EOS alignment report captures your full skeleton while you stand. This lets the radiologist assess how your whole body works together under load. It can show compensatory patterns that single-area imaging misses.
Ready to get clear answers?
A free video consultation helps you understand whether standing EOS imaging is the right next step. No obligation, no pressure.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- NHS. "How to get your test results." nhs.uk, accessed 2024.
- The Royal College of Radiologists. "Standards for the reporting and interpretation of imaging investigations." RCR, 2nd edition, 2018.
- Illés T, Somoskeöy S. "The EOS imaging system and its uses in daily orthopaedic practice." International Orthopaedics, 2012; 36(7): 1395–1402.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.