An x-ray is a medical imaging technique that uses a small amount of radiation to create images of the inside of your body.
These images allow your healthcare provider to visualise bones, organs, and other structures, which can help them to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions. X-rays are commonly used to identify fractures (link to service page), infections, tumours and abnormalities in the lungs, chest, abdomen, and skeletal system.
During an x-ray, you will be positioned between a machine that emits x-rays and a special film or detector that captures the x-ray images. When these x-rays pass through your body, they interact with the tissues and structures inside you and create an image on the film or detector.
Different tissues will absorb the x-rays to varying degrees. Dense structures such as bones, absorb more of the x-rays, which will appear white in the resulting image. Softer tissues, such as muscles and organs, allow more x-rays to pass through, which results in varying shades of grey. Air-filled spaces, such as your lungs, allow most of the x-rays to pass through, these will appear black on the image.
A special film or detector captures the x-rays that pass through your body, which creates an image. This image provides your healthcare provider with valuable information about the internal structures of your body, helping them to identify fractures, infections, tumours and other abnormalities. X-rays are widely used due to their ability to provide quick and relatively low-cost imaging results.
X-rays can be used to diagnose the following conditions:
After an x-ray, you can expect the following results:
Results will vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the issue and your overall health. Your orthopaedist can give you a better idea of what to expect based on your individual needs and circumstances.
The number of x-ray scans needed depends on several factors, including the specific medical condition being evaluated and the recommendations of your healthcare provider. In many cases, a single x-ray scan may be sufficient to obtain the necessary information for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, there may be instances where multiple x-ray scans are required. The decisions on the number of scans are made by your healthcare provider based on factors such as the complexity of your condition, the need for monitoring, or follow-up and your response to the initial treatment.
Your healthcare provider will assess your individual case and determine the appropriate number of x-ray scans needed to provide a comprehensive evaluation and guide your treatment plan effectively. It is important to discuss any concerns or questions you have about the number of x-ray scans with your healthcare provider.
Dr Puah KL is our Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Surgery. He used to serve the sports service of Singapore General Hospital - the highest volume trauma centre for orthopaedics in Singapore.
