Why is the entire bone removed?
The survey captures the entire length of the bone with adjacent joints - this is important. A shaft fracture may be accompanied by injury at another level or dislocation in an adjacent joint, and such an injury is easily missed when positioned narrowly. Classic examples are Monteggia and Galeazzi injuries on the forearm, when a fracture of one bone is combined with a dislocation at the opposite end. The study is also used to monitor the formation of callus at the stages of treatment and if a tumor process is suspected: persistent night pain in the bone in a teenager requires mandatory imaging.
What does an x-ray show?
An X-ray image perfectly visualizes bone tissue and air environments: fractures and cracks, displacements, changes in joint spaces, bone growths, as well as lung tissue and its changes.
Soft tissues - ligaments, menisci, discs, cartilage - are practically invisible in the image. If the doctor suspects damage, an MRI or ultrasound is prescribed after the X-ray.
One projection or two
One projection gives a flat image, and pathology located at an unfortunate angle may go unnoticed. The second photograph, taken perpendicular to the first, eliminates this situation. In trauma, two views are the standard; shooting in one is used as screening or when the patient’s position is limited.
About radiation exposure
The dose for digital radiography is significantly lower than film and for most studies is comparable to several days of natural background radiation. However, the study is performed as prescribed by a doctor, and during pregnancy - only for health reasons with screening.