We have developed a compact magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scanner with permanent magnet, gradient coil set, and radiofrequency (RF) coils optimized for whole-hand examination for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The system weighs about 600 kg, and installation space is 2 m(2), excluding the shield room. Hand examinations of normal volunteers and patients with RA were performed using a 3D T(1)-weighted gradient-echo (GRE) sequence and short T(I) inversion recovery 3D fast spin-echo (STIR-3DFSE) sequence, and anatomical structures and various lesions of the hand caused by RA were clearly visualized in a 16-min examination. It was concluded that the system could be used for diagnosis of RA in even a small clinic.