Table of Contents
Introduction
Living with pain from a sports injury or medical condition? It doesn’t have to be that way.
We are delighted to announce that we have added an X-Ray machine to our Roseville office. This crucial tool opens up new ways for us to examine problems with your joints and bones.
X-Rays are a quick, safe, and reliable method of diagnosing problems and offering you the correct treatment.
What is an X-Ray?
An X-ray is an invisible, painless type of radiation that passes through your body. We use X-ray machines to send the waves through parts of your body, which then produce images of your bones, joints, and softer tissues.
On an X-ray image, denser tissues like bone or metal implants appear as white, while softer tissues like organs show up darker shades of gray.
X-rays help us survey specific parts of your body and determine the best treatment options.
When Do You Need an X-Ray?
Your clinician will advise you when they think an X-ray is best. Sometimes it’s obvious when you’ve hurt yourself because there will be a clear cut, lump, or swelling. Other times, a professional can’t determine what’s wrong just by sight or touch alone.
This is when an X-ray can be helpful, as it allows us to see inside your body and get a clearer picture of what the problem could be.
As bones and joints show up very clearly with X-rays, X-ray images are usually used to examine:
- Fractures – the most common reason for an X-ray
- Arthritis
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Hip Pain
- Wrist Pain
What Does Having an X-Ray Involve?
Your clinician will use an X-ray machine to take images of certain parts of your body. Don’t worry; X-rays are not painful—they are invisible, and you can’t feel them.
When you are booked in for your X-ray, you will need to wear loose, comfortable clothing and take off any jewelry that might interfere with the final X-ray images.
We will position the X-ray plate against the body part to be imaged; the X-ray detector will be placed on the other side of your body so it can receive the X-ray waves and form the final images.
Sometimes you may have to sit at an uncomfortable or unnatural angle, but it’s no trouble; we will make sure to keep you as comfortable as possible, using supports like cushions to keep you positioned correctly.
You will need to sit fairly still to capture a clear image, but it only takes a few moments for your body to be X-rayed. Afterward, you can continue with your usual activities as there are no side effects.
After Your X-Ray Appointment
X-rays are available as digital images for us to examine—meaning the wait time for us to view them is only a few minutes. However, everyone’s injury or condition is different, so it may take us time to review the images and make a formal diagnosis.
We will always be transparent about how long it will be until you get your results.
Are X-Rays Dangerous?
There are often worries about whether the levels of radiation in an X-ray are safe. Typically, the risk of X-ray radiation exposure is so low that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
A normal X-ray with a machine only exposes your body part to radiation for a fraction of a second. This amounts to around a few days worth of natural radiation you’d normally be exposed to in the environment.
Why Are X-Rays Useful?
Without X-rays, diagnosing problems with joints or bones can be difficult and time-consuming. Getting a clear image with an X-ray is non-invasive, quick, and pain-free.
As X-rays clearly show bones and joints, they’re a reliable way to diagnose problems such as sports injuries or medical conditions and lead to quicker treatment.
When to See Us
Are you concerned about pain or mobility issues? An X-ray might help us diagnose the problem and lead to the treatment you need.
Whether you’ve suffering short-term pain or chronic, long-term discomfort, we can help.
At Premier Podiatry & Orthopedics, we specialize in treating foot, ankle, and other orthopedic injuries. Schedule an appointment with our team by calling (916) 961-3434. We will always be happy to hear from you.
Looking to schedule an appointment with a physician?
Schedule an appointment with us by calling (916) 961-3434 or by clicking the button below to begin requesting your appointment today!
