X-Ray Knee 2 Views
This X-ray is commonly used to look for fractures and causes of swelling or pain in your knee joint.
A doctor may ask a patient about family history when the knee pain began, other symptoms that may be present and how those affect the patient's lifestyle. Clinical symptoms experienced by the patient are vital to reach a diagnosis and draw treatment plans. The doctor will examine the patient's knee in the physical exam, noticing any swelling, stiffness or pain points. Specific physical tasks may be required for the doctor to examine the patient's gait.
You might be experiencing unusual, unexplained pain or stiffness in your joints. Discuss with your doctor if osteoarthritis may be the cause. Your doctor will order an X-ray of your knee to find out. X-rays are quick and painless and very accurate to see physical symptoms of OA, infections and cysts, tumors or abnormal masses in your knee joints. This will allow your doctor to prescribe treatments and recommend lifestyle and dietary changes, and improve your quality of life and relief from constant pain. An X-ray may also show bone spurs; a sign of cartilage loss. Most individuals over 50 with knee pain may also observe symptoms of osteoarthritis on their X-ray.
To accurately check for a fracture, in a routine X-ray, the knee is imaged in at least two directions. This exam includes an anteroposterior and a lateral image. When a patient is lying on the table, the X-rays pass through the knee from anterior to posterior. This may also be alternatively done in a standing position. The knee is fully extended to the image in both cases. A PA image method may be opted for, where the knees are flexed at 45°. Standing images may be better over supine positions. They detect reduced joint space caused by cartilage or meniscus disorders more reliably. The patient will be asked to stand, sit or lie down in a position that allows the best knee joint image to be captured by the X-ray. A patient may feel discomfort from the positions but the technician will help them be comfortable. They will also be given a lead apron to wear to shield them from any unnecessary X-ray radiation. The patient will be asked to hold their breath while the image is taken to ensure it's not blurry; otherwise, the procedure may have to be repeated. A routine Knee X-ray does not take more than a few minutes, including any repeat procedures. The X-Ray might take up to an hour if you were injected with a dye to improve the visibility of certain areas.
There is no special preparation required for a Wrist X-ray; however, keep the following points in mind before your appointment:
- No jewelry, glasses, and metallic objects should be worn.
- Consult your physician if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy; X-rays are usually avoided during this period.
- Inform your doctor beforehand if you wear any on-body devices such as an insulin pump.
An MRI may be used later to diagnose knee problems. But many knee problems are accurately diagnosed by X-ray and this exam is the first step in the usual course of diagnosing a knee problem. Your doctor may order a knee X-ray if they suspect the following:
- Soft-tissue changes
- Bone density: X-rays aren't adequate for evaluating bone quality. A bone density test is required for that, but it can detect abnormalities (e.g., certain bone disorders, bone thinning).
- Alignment
- Joint spaces
- Early arthritis signs
- Injury/fracture: X-rays show evidence of trauma to the bone, including fractures. Common fractures seen on knee X-rays include tibial plateau fractures and patella fractures.
There is no single lab test to make a differential diagnosis for knee osteoarthritis, but a lab test can be used to eliminate other suspected problems such as infection, cysts, and gout. A radiologist will interpret the results of your X-ray. They will then send a report to your doctor, who will later discuss the findings with you. If your doctor sees a fracture, you will be treated by placing a cast over your knee to immobilize it while it heals.
Related X rays:
Knees X-Ray (Both) , Knee/Patella X-Ray
