Digital X-Ray
At Spine & Orthopedic Center, we offer in-house X-Ray services at all of our locations. If you need an X-ray for any type of injury, call us at 1-888-409-8006 to get an appointment. With SOC in-house X-ray equipment, we are ready to service injuries at any time.
For the benefit of our patients, once X-rays are taken, all digital images are made available for immediate evaluation in the patient waiting room. At SOC, all patient rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. These machines provide our patients with x-rays seconds after being taken. Right in the office!
X-rays (radiographs) are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. Even if you also need more sophisticated tests, an X-ray is usually first.
Preparing for imaging
There is no need to prep for an x-ray. However, the patient may be asked to change into a gown to eliminate any interference with metal objects. Metal objects that tend to interfere with an X-RAY, such as
- Buckles
- Zippers
- Plastic objects
- Silkscreen images on shirts
What is an X-Ray?
X-rays are waves of electromagnetic energy. They behave in much the same way as light rays, but at much shorter wavelengths. When directed at a target, X-rays can often pass through the substance uninterrupted. This is especially the case when it is of low density.
Higher density targets (like the human body) will reflect or absorb the X-rays. This occurs because there is less space between the atoms for the short waves to pass through. X-rays are one of the most common radiology procedures. In fact, X-rays produce a still picture of bones and organs.
Since Rontgen’s discovery that X-rays can identify bone structures, X-rays have been developed for their use in medical imaging. Radiology is a specialized field of medicine that employs radiography and other techniques for diagnostic imaging. X-rays are especially useful in the detection of pathology of the skeletal system, though. But they are also helpful in detecting some disease processes in soft tissue.
Diagnostic imaging techniques help narrow the causes of an injury or illness. As a matter of fact, they ensure that the diagnosis is accurate. These techniques include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
And these imaging tools let your doctor see inside your body, such as:
- Bones
- Organs
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Nerves
- Cartilage
Then, your doctor uses these tools to determine if there are any abnormalities.
The X-ray or radiograph is produced by the transmission of energy. A beam of high-energy photons is passed through the body, some of which are attenuated or blocked when they strike subatomic particles.
Risks of an X-RAY
There is a slight risk of having one X-ray. However, with repeated imaging done, there is a risk that the X-rays may damage some cells in the body. Possibly leading to cancer in the future. The dose of X-ray radiation is always kept to the minimum needed to get a good picture of the particular body part being checked.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]