Knee X-ray

Service Description

A knee X-ray is a medical imaging procedure that uses radiation to create images of the knee joint, allowing doctors to visualize the bones and soft tissues within the knee. It's a safe and painless process that helps diagnose various conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and other knee problems. What it shows: Bones: The femur (thighbone), tibia and fibula (lower leg bones), and patella (kneecap) are all visible on a knee X-ray. Soft tissues: While not as clearly defined as bones, soft tissues like ligaments and tendons can be assessed to some extent. Fluid: X-rays can also reveal fluid accumulation (effusion) in the knee joint. How it's used: Diagnosing fractures: X-rays can quickly identify broken bones in the knee. Assessing arthritis: They can show signs of wear and tear on the knee joint, which can indicate osteoarthritis. Detecting other conditions: X-rays can help diagnose other problems like dislocations, infections, and certain soft tissue injuries. Planning and monitoring treatment: X-rays can guide treatment decisions, especially for surgeries, and help monitor the success of treatment. Procedure: The patient typically stands or sits while the X-ray machine is positioned over the knee. A beam of X-rays is sent through the knee, and an image is captured on a detector. The process is quick and painless. When it's used: Knee pain: If a person experiences knee pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity, an X-ray may be ordered to determine the cause. Suspected fractures: Following an injury, an X-ray can confirm or rule out a fracture. Arthritis: X-rays are often used to diagnose and monitor the progression of osteoarthritis. Planning for surgery: Pre-operative X-rays can help surgeons plan the approach and procedure.