How does a foot X-ray work?
X-rays send small beams of radiation through your body. The X-rays create a picture on special photographic film or a digital platform.
Your body parts vary in thickness, so they absorb different degrees of radiation. Calcium in your bones absorbs more radiation, so your bones look white on X-rays. Your soft tissues, including your organs, fat and muscles, absorb less radiation. So these tissues look different shades of gray. Air looks black on X-rays.
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How do I prepare for a foot X-ray?
Foot X-rays don’t require much preparation. Before the test, you’ll have to remove any clothing, shoes, jewelry or metal objects that may get in the way of clear X-ray images.
It’s also important to tell your radiologic technologist if you’re pregnant or if you could be pregnant. There’s a chance your growing baby (fetus) could be exposed to radiation. Your healthcare provider will decide if you need the X-ray. If the X-ray must be done because of an urgent need, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to your baby.
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Before your X-ray, the technologist will explain the process to you. They will answer any questions you have and make sure you’re ready before starting the procedure.
What can I expect during a foot X-ray?
A radiologic technologist will perform your foot X-ray in an X-ray room. This may be in your healthcare provider’s office or a hospital radiology department. Once in the X-ray room, the technologist may place a lead apron on your lap to protect your reproductive organs from radiation exposure. This is especially important if you’re pregnant or could be pregnant. The X-ray room may be a little chilly, but the entire procedure should take less than 15 minutes.
The technologist will place your leg on the X-ray table. Then the technologist may put positioning equipment such as sandbags or pillows around your leg or foot to keep it from moving. It’s important to keep very still during the X-ray because movement can make the X-ray images blurry.
Your technologist will place an X-ray film holder or digital recording plate under the X-ray table. Then they will go behind a wall or into a special room to activate the X-ray machine. Your technologist may reposition your foot several times to get images from various angles. Three separate images are usually taken to make sure they get all views. The technologist will take one image from the side, one image from the front and one image at a 45-degree angle between the front and side views. Let your technologist know if you’re experiencing any pain. They will assist you and make you as comfortable as possible throughout the test.
What can I expect after a foot X-ray?
After your foot X-ray, your radiologic technologist will probably ask you to wait a couple of minutes while they check the images. They want to make sure the images aren’t blurry before sending you on your way. If any images are blurry, they will retake them immediately.
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A doctor called a radiologist will then review the images. Radiologists are trained to study X-ray images and figure out what they mean. Once the radiologist has reviewed the results, they will send them to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about the results and determine the correct treatment for your condition. You may be referred to a foot and ankle surgeon, who has specialized training in foot and ankle conditions.
If your healthcare provider or specialist wants to see additional views of your foot or ankle, you may have to return for a follow-up X-ray. You may also have to return to monitor your condition and keep track of any changes that occur over time.
What are the risks of a foot X-ray?
X-rays provide a quick and simple way for your healthcare provider to diagnose possible health conditions in your foot or feet. There’s only a slight amount of radiation exposure in a foot X-ray, and the radiation passes right through you. In addition, X-rays rarely cause side effects.
People who are pregnant have a somewhat elevated risk of issues with radiation exposure. You should always tell your radiologic technologist if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant. You may wear a lead apron to protect your reproductive organs from radiation exposure. Children have a somewhat higher risk as well. Lower amounts of radiation can be used on children.
Excessive exposure to radiation carries a minor risk of cancer. However, healthcare providers agree the benefit of an accurate diagnosis outweighs the risk of radiation exposure. If you’re concerned about the amount of radiation you’ll be exposed to, ask your technologist.
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