BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuExtremity x-rayAn extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, ankle, leg, thigh, forearm humerus or upper arm, hip, shoulder or all of these areas. The term "extremity" often refers to a human limb. x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-rays are a form of radiation that passes through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white. Air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray. How the Test is Performed The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office. The x-ray is done by an x-ray technologist.You will need to hold still as the x-ray is taken. You may be asked to change position, so more x-rays can be taken. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry from the area being imaged.In general, there is no discomfort. You may be slightly uncomfortable while the leg or arm is put in place for the x-ray. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test if you have signs of:A fracture FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumor Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A foreign body (such as a piece of metal) An infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) Delayed growth in a child Normal Results The x-ray shows normal structures for the age of the person. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may be due to:Bone conditions that get worse over time (degenerative) Bone tumor Bone tumorA bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Broken bone (fracture) Dislocated bone Osteomyelitis (infection) OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ArthritisOther conditions for which the test may be performed:Clubfoot ClubfootClubfoot is a condition that involves both the foot and lower leg in which the foot turns inward and downward. It is a congenital condition, which m...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To detect foreign objects in the body Risks There is low-level radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the smallest amount of radiation exposure needed to make the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of an x-ray.Open ReferencesReferencesKelly DM. Congenital anomalies of the lower extremity. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 29.Kim W. Imaging of extremity trauma. In: Torigian DA, Ramchandani P, eds. Radiology Secrets Plus. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 45.Laoteppitaks C. Compartment syndrome evaluation. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 54.AllVideoImagesTogX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.X-rayillustrationX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.X-rayillustration Tests for Extremity x-ray Extremity x-rayX-rayExtremity angiographyLeg MRI scanRelated Information X-ray(Medical Test)Bone x-ray(Medical Test)Broken bone(Injury)Bone tumor(Condition)Osteomyelitis(Condition)Clubfoot(Condition) Review Date: 7/5/2022 Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, FSIR, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Extremity x-rayAn extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, ankle, leg, thigh, forearm humerus or upper arm, hip, shoulder or all of these areas. The term "extremity" often refers to a human limb. x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-rays are a form of radiation that passes through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white. Air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray. How the Test is Performed The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office. The x-ray is done by an x-ray technologist.You will need to hold still as the x-ray is taken. You may be asked to change position, so more x-rays can be taken. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry from the area being imaged.In general, there is no discomfort. You may be slightly uncomfortable while the leg or arm is put in place for the x-ray. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test if you have signs of:A fracture FractureIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumor Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A foreign body (such as a piece of metal) An infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) Delayed growth in a child Normal Results The x-ray shows normal structures for the age of the person. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may be due to:Bone conditions that get worse over time (degenerative) Bone tumor Bone tumorA bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Broken bone (fracture) Dislocated bone Osteomyelitis (infection) OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ArthritisOther conditions for which the test may be performed:Clubfoot ClubfootClubfoot is a condition that involves both the foot and lower leg in which the foot turns inward and downward. It is a congenital condition, which m...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To detect foreign objects in the body Risks There is low-level radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the smallest amount of radiation exposure needed to make the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of an x-ray.Open ReferencesReferencesKelly DM. Congenital anomalies of the lower extremity. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 29.Kim W. Imaging of extremity trauma. In: Torigian DA, Ramchandani P, eds. Radiology Secrets Plus. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 45.Laoteppitaks C. Compartment syndrome evaluation. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 54.