What Can I Expect After A Foot X
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 arent blurry before sending you on your way. If any images are blurry, they will retake them immediately.
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.
Citation Doi & Article Data
Citation:DOI:Andrew MurphyRevisions:see full revision historySystem: Synonyms:
Ankle and foot radiography is the plain radiographic investigation of the distal tibia and fibula, the tarsal bones and metatarsals. Radiographic examination of the foot and ankle are often requested together, however, there is a plethora of literature to aid in the correct request of x-ray examinations in this region including the Ottawa ankle rules.
The ankle series
What Should I Expect During A Foot And Ankle X
An X-ray is a simple diagnostic that doesnt require much preparation. During the procedure, your podiatrist may request you remove your jewelry or any other items that can interfere with the imaging test.
Foot and ankle X-rays work by sending small amounts of radiation through your foot and ankle. This beam of radiation produces an image of your bones and soft tissue that a computer records.
Your podiatrist may ask you to adjust your foot in certain positions to ensure the correct capture of the images. In most cases, foot and ankle X-rays only take about 15 minutes.
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Why Are Ankle X
An ankle X-ray can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, and swelling, or deformity of the ankle joint. It can show broken bones or a dislocated joint. After a broken bone has been set, an X-ray can show if the bones are aligned and if they have healed properly.
An X-ray can help doctors plan surgery, when needed, and check the results after it. It also can help to detect cysts, tumors, later stage infections, fluid in the joint, and other diseases in the ankle bones.
Depending on the X-ray results, a follow-up radiology test like a CAT scan or MRI might be needed.
The doctor also might order a stress X-ray to check how tightly the ligaments are holding the ankle together. To do this, the doctor or technician stretches the ankle joint while the X-ray is taken to see if the pressure moves the bones apart.
How Does A Foot X
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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Board Certified Foot And Ankle Specialists & Surgeons Located In Beverly/mt Greenwood Portage Park Chicago Il & Orland Park Il & New Lenox Il
If you suffer from a foot or ankle problem, foot and ankle X-rays can help your podiatrist determine the best way to eliminate your symptoms and restore your health. At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, with locations in the Beverly/Mt. Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, as well as Orland Park and New Lenox, Illinois, the podiatrists use foot and ankle X-rays to accurately diagnose a wide range of conditions. Call your nearest location to speak with a member of the team, or book your appointment online today.
Eight Tests That Your Foot Doctor May Order
The New Year is upon us. Our country will elect a new President in 2008. The world will meet in Beijing in August to compete in the Olympic Games. Roger Federer may win 3 Grand Slam titles to surpass Peteâs record of 14. And, you, the Mid- Atlantic tennis enthusiast and player MAY sustain a foot and/ or ankle injury that will land you in the office of a health care provider. If so, you will benefit greatly from reading about 8 tests that may be ordered on your foot/ ankle condition.
# 1 – X-rays = All of us have had x-rays on some body part, but many of my tennis playing patients have been misinformed as to what information can be gained from an X-ray of an injured foot or ankle. X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels. X-rays typically show bones and joints, and may, at times, show the absence of skin . In addition, it is very important that every athlete appreciate that X-rays can be initially normal, and yet later it is discovered that a fracture of bone has indeed occurred.
#2 – Bone Scan = A bone scan is NOT as common a test. A radioisotope is injected into a patientâs arm, and the patient is subsequently scanned. If the patientâs x-rays are normal, and the bone scan is positive in the area of pain, there is a strong possibility of a fracture. In other words, a bone scan will âpick upâ a fracture in situations when a fracture is suspected but the x-rays were normal.
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What Is An Ultrasound Like
While still entirely painless, an ultrasound test is a little more hands-on. First, we apply a thin layer of gel over the target area, which allows the high-frequency sound to be picked up more accurately. We then place a probe against your foot or ankle. We gently move it around to pick up the sounds and provide a real-time image of your soft tissues. The only sensation patients report is, at most, a slight chill from the gel application.
Reading And Mri For Syndesmotic Ankle Sprains
Reprinted from
- An axial view of T1 and T2 weighted MRIs can be indicated to determine syndesmotic ankle sprains.
- Positive MRI findings for syndesmotic ankle sprains on a plain T1 or T2 weighted image are abnormal course, irregular contour or increased signal intensity.
- A positive finding on a T1 weighted image with contrast is marked signal intensity.
- Additional positive findings with be discontinuity or not being able to visualize the ligament.
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What Can I Expect During A Foot X
A radiologic technologist will perform your foot X-ray in an X-ray room. This may be in your healthcare providers 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 youre 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. Its 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 youre experiencing any pain. They will assist you and make you as comfortable as possible throughout the test.
X Ray Of Foot And Ankle
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What Is An X
An x-ray is very straightforward and convenient. We use lead aprons to cover the non-target areas of your body, and then we send a quick burst of x-ray radiation toward the target area. It is safe, painless, and quick.
Depending on your condition, we may take several images from different angles to provide a full picture.
What Conditions Can Foot And Ankle X
An X-ray is a common diagnostic tool and an effective way to determine the underlying cause of your foot or ankle problem.
Foot and ankle X-rays give your podiatrist the information they need to accurately diagnose the cause of symptoms like pain, swelling, tenderness, and loss of mobility. At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, the team uses X-rays to diagnose conditions like:
- Dislocations and other joint injuries
- Bone infections
The first step in eliminating your pain is determining the underlying cause. A foot and ankle X-ray is a safe and painless imaging option that helps your podiatrist determine the most effective treatment for your condition.
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Diagnosing Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation in the joints that results in joint damage. There are many types of arthritis that develop for different reasons, but nearly all cause pain and stiffness in the affected joints, which can limit movement. Arthritis can involve physical changes in the tissues that make up a joint, including cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. For example, if the smooth material that lines and protects the joints and cushions the bones, called cartilage, is damaged, the bones may rub directly against one another. This increased friction may cause hard growths called osteophytes or bone spurs to develop, causing increased pain and interfering with joint movement.
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Arthritis may affect one or more of the 33 joints in the foot and ankle. These joints allow the foot and ankle to be flexible and to absorb the weight of the body during movement. People with foot or ankle arthritis may experience pain and discomfort when standing, walking, participating in sports, or performing other physical activities.
Foot and ankle arthritis pain often follows a recognizable pattern. People tend to feel aching pain and stiffness after a period of inactivity, as when getting up in the morning or rising from a chair after sitting for an hour or more. Walking and other everyday movements may help relieve this start-up discomfort, but arthritis pain usually returns after prolonged activity.
What Is An Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images in real-time of your bodys soft tissues. Unlike an x-ray, which provides a non-moving image, an ultrasound can provide continuous imaging. It allows your doctor to observe how your muscles and tissues move moment by moment.
Youve likely heard of doctors using an ultrasound to view a baby in the womb, but it has far more uses than that. It can help us diagnose problems with soft tissues all throughout your body, including your feet and ankles.
Which Imaging Method Do I Need?
The imaging test you need depends on your situation. And you might even benefit from having both tests done to provide a comprehensive image of your affected area. In general though, each test is more effective for identifying problems with either soft or hard parts of your body.
- X-rays are excellent for bones and hard tissues
- An ultrasound is excellent for softer tissues, such as muscles
However, your foot and ankle are highly complex systems. Much of the time, health concerns arise from a combination of problems with both soft tissues and bones. In these cases, you may require both tests.
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Common Fractures And Their Management
The level of the fracture directs the treatment fractures can be classified according to the Salter-Harris classification.
Lateral malleolus fracture
In children, a fibula fracture usually requires a short leg cast and six weeks of non-weight bearing. Salter-Harris I distal fibula fractures can be diagnosed if there is tenderness directly on the lateral malleolus and many recommend treating as a fracture even if no radiographic fracture is noted.
However, a study in JAMA carried out MRI scans on 135 children with presumed SH1 distal fibula fractures. All children were treated with a removable leg brace and advised to continue regular activities as tolerated. 4 of the children had an SH1 on MRI, 38 had an avulsion fracture, and the rest showed ligamentous injury or bony contusion. By 1 month, 72.1% had full weight-bearing activity and by 3 months 96.9% had returned to normal activities . Therefore, a removable brace may be appropriate for a Salter Harris I, if your department stocks them. .
Medial malleolus fracture
An undisplaced distal tibia can be managed with a long leg cast and non-weight bearing. SH3 or 4 needs discussion with ortho. All will have a fracture clinic follow up in a week or so.
Salter-Harris I distal tibia fractures can be diagnosed if there is tenderness directly on the medial malleolus and many recommend treating as a fracture even if no radiographic fracture is noted.
The most common distal tibial epiphysis injury is a Salter Harris II
Foot And Ankle Fractures
If a foot or ankle fracture is suspected it is recommended to use the Ottawa Ankle Rules to screen whether a radiograph is needed. The Ottawa Ankle Rules indicate that a radiograph is indicated if any of the following are positive: tenderness along the posterior medial or lateral malleoli, base of the 5th metatarsal, navicular or if the patient is unable to bear weight for 4 steps following the injury. A radiograph with AP, lateral and mortise views are typically sufficient in detecting a foot or ankle fracture. A CT Scan can be used to get a 3 dimensional view in the case of a suspected fracture. A bone scan can be used to detect small fracture or stress fractures within the first 24-48 hours, which may not be picked up by a radiograph or CT scan. Common fracture areas for the foot and ankle are at the malleoli, 5th metatarsal and calcaneus. Malleolar fractures are typically dependent upon the foot position and direction of force. Metatarsal fractures typically occur with trauma, rotational forces or repetitive stress. Fractures of the calcaneus can occur with falls.
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What Are The Risks Of A Foot X
X-rays provide a quick and simple way for your healthcare provider to diagnose possible health conditions in your foot or feet. Theres 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 youre 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 youre concerned about the amount of radiation youll be exposed to, ask your technologist.
Reasons Your Podiatrist May Ask For X
X-rays are an important diagnostic tool for foot doctors . They allow doctors to evaluate a problem and to track the effectiveness of the treatments they are using. Here are some of the reasons your foot doctor in Sugar Land may recommend an X-ray.
If your doctor suspects that your foot pain is being caused by a fracture, he or she will order an X-ray to see the bone and look for signs of a crack or break. An X-ray can also tell your foot doctor if the bone has been changed by an infection, arthritis, or another bone disease. If you have suffered an injury, an X-ray lets your foot doctor locate pieces of glass, metal, or other foreign objects that can be lodged in the wound. In some cases, X-rays are used to ensure that childrens bones are growing properly. If you had your foot in a cast, your doctor will perform an X-ray when it is removed to make sure that the bones are fully healed.
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