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| Definition: |
An X-ray of a joint.
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| Alternative Names: |
X-ray - joint
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| How the test is performed: |
| The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an X-ray technician. You will be asked to position the joint to be X-rayed on the table. The pictures are then taken, repositioning the joint for different views. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| There is no discomfort, except possibly from positioning the area being X-rayed. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| Joint X-ray is used to detect fractures, tumors, or degenerative conditions of the joint. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
Abnormal results include arthritis, fractures, bone tumors, degenerative bone conditions, and osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone caused by an infection).
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
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| What the risks are: |
| There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the X-ray. |
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Review Date: 12/2/2001
Reviewed By: Evan Mair, M.D., Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network
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