Digital X-ray FAQs

The oldest and most frequently used method of medical imaging, an X-ray is a non-invasive medical test that helps doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. A part of the body is exposed to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures that can be used to diagnose injury and disease.

X-rays are used to:

• diagnose broken bones or joint dislocation
• demonstrate proper alignment and stabilization of bony fragments following treatment of a fracture
• guide orthopedic surgeries such as spine repair/fusion, joint replacement, and fracture reductions
• look for injury, infection, abnormal bone growths, or bony changes seen in metabolic conditions.

Depending on the area of your body being X-rayed, you may be asked to change into a gown. A technologist will then position you on the X-ray table or against the upright stand so that the part of your body being examined is between the x-ray machine and the receptor. X-rays are painless procedures and you will not feel anything.