X-Ray Wrist 2 Views
Prior to the X-ray, the doctor will request a full account of the patient's medical history. He or she will require details about when the pain started, for how long it was prevalent and any other occurrences which had a direct impact on the lifestyle and daily activities of the patient. X-ray imaging is used with clinical symptoms in order to diagnose the patient accurately and draw up plans for future treatment. In addition, the doctor may administer a physical exam in which he or she will examine the wrist, its movement or swelling. The physical exam also aids in the identification of stiffness or pain points in the area concerned.
The imaging scan helps the doctor determine why the patient has pain or swelling in the wrist. Pain or swelling in the wrist may be due to a fracture, an infection or even broken bones. The imaging helps to determine if surgery is needed. It also helps in assessing the results of surgery if the need for surgery has been determined beforehand. Similarly, it can also detect whether a broken bone has set in perfect alignment and whether the break has healed properly. X-rays tend to be very quick. They are painless procedures. They are useful in the identification of any defects or abnormalities along the wrist. The scans enable the doctors to draw up appropriate treatment plans and set you on the path to recovery, relieving you from constant muscle pain.
This is a two-view X-ray, which means that imaging is taken from 2 different angles or sides. The technician takes two pictures of the wrist, one from the back, with the palm facing down, also known as the posteroanterior view and one from the side, the lateral view. There are different positions for standard and trauma projections. The technician will direct you accordingly. In the modified trauma position, when the patient is in pain, diagnostic images are taken in a way that requires little to no patient movement. In this case, this is the horizontal beam lateral wrist view. It requires no movement or little movement and captures a diagnostic lateral projection without risking patient pain. As a general rule, the patient is asked to hold their breath and remain still while the image is being taken in order to ensure it's not blurry; otherwise, the process has to be carried out again.
X-rays are standard procedures and do not require the patient to prepare beforehand. However, there are some things that must be kept in mind before going in for the imaging:
- No jewelry, glasses, and metallic objects should be worn, as they make the X-rays harder to read.
- 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 or any metal implants in your body.
The doctor may order the X-ray in any of the following situations:
- Wrist trauma
- Suspected fracture
- Obvious deformity
- bony tenderness
- non-traumatic deformity
- non-traumatic wrist pain
The X-ray results are available on the same day. They are reviewed by the doctor and radiologist, allowing them to determine how they should proceed. In light of the results, the doctors may order a series of other tests, imaging or otherwise to help their diagnosis. Usually, surgery is performed in most cases to reduce fractures. In other cases, non-operative treatments such as casts and slings are opted for.
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