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Bone x-ray

X-ray - bone

 

A bone x-ray is an imaging test to look at the bones.

How the Test is Performed

 

The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. For the test, you will position the bone to be x-rayed on the table. Pictures are then taken, and the bone is repositioned for different views.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant. You must remove all jewelry for the x-ray.

 

How the Test will Feel

 

The x-rays are painless. Changing position for getting different views of the bone may be uncomfortable.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

A bone x-ray is used to look for injuries or conditions affecting the bone.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

Abnormal findings include:

  • Fractures or broken bone
  • Bone tumors
  • Degenerative bone conditions
  • Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone caused by an infection)

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease
  • Osteogenesis imperfecta
  • Osteomalacia
  • Paget's disease
  • Primary hyperparathyroidism
  • Rickets

 

Risks

 

There is low radiation exposure. X-ray machines are set to provide the smallest amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.

Children and the fetuses of pregnant women are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. A protective shield may be worn over areas not being scanned.

 

 

References

Mettler, FA. Skeletal system. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 8.

 
  • Skeleton - illustration

    The skeleton consists of groups of bones which protect and move the body.

    Skeleton

    illustration

  • Skeletal spine - illustration

    The spine is divided into several sections. The cervical vertebrae make up the neck. The thoracic vertebrae comprise the chest section and have ribs attached. The lumbar vertebrae are the remaining vertebrae below the last thoracic bone and the top of the sacrum. The sacral vertebrae are caged within the bones of the pelvis, and the coccyx represents the terminal vertebrae or vestigial tail.

    Skeletal spine

    illustration

  • Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray - illustration

    This x-ray shows a malignant bone tumor (osteogenic sarcoma) of the knee. This type of tumor is usually seen in adolescents (around 15 years old). This tumor extends from the bone into the surrounding tissue.

    Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray

    illustration

    • Skeleton - illustration

      The skeleton consists of groups of bones which protect and move the body.

      Skeleton

      illustration

    • Skeletal spine - illustration

      The spine is divided into several sections. The cervical vertebrae make up the neck. The thoracic vertebrae comprise the chest section and have ribs attached. The lumbar vertebrae are the remaining vertebrae below the last thoracic bone and the top of the sacrum. The sacral vertebrae are caged within the bones of the pelvis, and the coccyx represents the terminal vertebrae or vestigial tail.

      Skeletal spine

      illustration

    • Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray - illustration

      This x-ray shows a malignant bone tumor (osteogenic sarcoma) of the knee. This type of tumor is usually seen in adolescents (around 15 years old). This tumor extends from the bone into the surrounding tissue.

      Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Self Care

       

      Tests for Bone x-ray

       

       

      Review Date: 5/9/2015

      Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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