Treatment Options - What You Should Know About X-rays
Introduction
An x-ray film is a simple, two-dimensional picture of the bones in the knee. The picture is generated on a piece of film by a radiation beam that passes through the knee from an x-ray machine.
Only bones show up on an x-ray image, so the picture can tell your doctor if you have a broken bone, bone fragments, or the later stages of osteoarthritis. An x-ray image does not show muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues, so it cannot diagnose things like a ligament tear or meniscal injury.
The machine is usually located in a room of its own, with the controls behind a window off to the side. The procedure is painless and quick; you only need to remain motionless for a short period of time. The procedure is also safe, since an x-ray uses only a small amount of radiation.
Getting Ready for the X-ray
For knee problems, there is no special preparation ahead of time. If you are pregnant, tell your doctor. Even though the x-ray machine will be positioned over your knee, you can wear a lead apron over your abdomen to shield the baby.
During the X-ray
After putting on a gown, you'll lie down on the x-ray table. After the
technician positions your knee, he will gently pull the x-ray machine down,
coming close to but not touching your knee. He will ask you to hold your
position and then walk into the other room to work the controls that take
the picture. He may reposition your knee several times, depending on how
many x-ray images you need.
After the X-ray
Because you don't need any medication or injections, you can drive yourself home afterwards.
Typically, your doctor will review your x-ray films and discuss the results with you. For examples of x-ray images, see below for a view of a normal knee (left) and see below for a picture of an injured one (right).
Normal Knee (above)
Injured Knee (above)
| Related site page | |
| www.mri-scan.org.uk | |
