X Ray

An X-ray is a fast and simple procedure that uses a small dose of X-ray radiation to create images of the inside of your body to show damage and certain diseases. It’s particularly suitable for bones, but X-rays have many uses and are widely used in medical settings, from hospitals to dentists. For example, X-rays can be used to help diagnose and monitor osteoarthritis and are also used before and after joint replacement surgery.

There are many reasons why you may be referred for an X-ray, including diagnosing the cause of pain or discomfort, tracking the progress of a disease (eg osteoporosis) and checking the effectiveness of a treatment. However, X-rays are most commonly used to look at bones and joints for fractures or disease (eg arthritis or osteoporosis). They can also detect other conditions including:

• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal problems — this includes difficulties swallowing (dysphagia)
• Lung diseases — chest X-rays are used to detect lung cancer and pneumonia
• Scoliosis – a condition that causes the spine to curve
• Teeth problems — this includes tooth decay

Hand X-rays may also be used to monitor growth in children.

X-rays are sometimes used to help doctors by providing images during certain tests and procedures eg during a coronary angioplasty where a thin tube (catheter) is guided into your arteries using X-ray guidance in order to then be able to widen a narrowed artery.