X-ray - skeleton
A skeletal x-ray is an imaging test used to look at your bones. It is used to detect fractures, tumors, or conditions that cause wearing away (degeneration) of the bone.
x-ray
X-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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleFractures
If 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHow the Test is Performed
The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in your health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.
You will lie on a table or stand in front of the x-ray machine, depending on the bone that is injured. You may be asked to change position so that different x-ray views can be taken.
The x-rays pass through your body. A computer or special film records the images.
Structures that are dense (such as bone) will block most of the x-ray particles. These areas will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black. Muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray.
How to Prepare for the Test
Tell your provider if you are pregnant. You must remove all jewelry before the x-ray.
How the Test will Feel
The x-rays are painless. Changing positions and moving the injured area for different x-ray views may be uncomfortable. If the whole skeleton is being imaged, the test most often takes 1 hour or more.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is used to look for:
- Fractures or broken bone
- Cancer that has spread to other areas of the body
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone caused by an infection)
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Bone damage due to trauma (such as an auto accident) or degenerative conditions
- Abnormalities in the soft tissue around the bone
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal findings include:
- Fractures
- Bone tumors
Bone tumors
A bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Degenerative bone conditions
- Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Risks
There is low radiation exposure. X-rays machines are set to provide the smallest amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.
Children and the fetuses of pregnant women are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. A protective shield may be worn over areas not being scanned.
Reviewed By
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Contreras F, Perez J, Jose J. Imaging overview. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.
Kapoor G, Toms AP. Current status of imaging of the musculoskeletal system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.