Short of having X-ray vision, a doctor’s ability to use X-rays is the next best thing when it comes to finding the source of your pain or bone-related problems. Kris Ford, DPM, and Jonathan Lorenzana, DPM, offer in-office X-rays to more quickly arrive at your diagnosis and develop customized treatment plans. Call the South Alamo Foot & Ankle office in San Antonio, Texas, today, or book an appointment online anytime.
X-Ray Q&A
What is an X-ray?
An X-ray offers an image of your body’s internal structures using beams. Dense body materials, such as bone, or foreign objects like metal, appear white on an X-ray. Body fat and muscle appear gray, while the air in your lungs appears black.
What are X-rays used for?
X-ray technology is used to examine and diagnose many problems in the body, mostly those affecting your bones or teeth. At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, their in-office X-ray machine gives the team a look at the bones in your feet and ankles, to diagnose fractures, infections, osteoporosis, or arthritis.
Why do podiatrists use X-rays?
If the team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle suspects that your foot pain is caused by a fracture or break, an X-ray allows the doctor to look at the bones. X-rays are also useful for finding foreign objects in a wound, such as glass or metal, if you’ve suffered an injury or car accident.
Sometimes doctors order X-rays to ensure children’s bones are growing properly.
X-rays are also useful after you’ve had a cast removed to ensure the bones have fully healed. For your convenience, South Alamo Foot & Ankle offers on-site X-rays to eliminate the need for scheduling appointments with additional providers elsewhere.
What are the side effects of X-rays?
Because X-rays introduce radiation exposure, some people have concerns that X-rays could cause cancer. Radiation exposure from an X-ray is low for most X-rays, with the amount of radiation depending on the organ or tissue being examined.
Children are more sensitive to radiation exposure than adults, but the benefits of X-rays outweigh the risks.
Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant before getting an X-ray. Most diagnostic X-rays present a small risk to an unborn baby, but an ultrasound or other imaging test may be used in place of an X-ray.
What are the side effects of contrast mediums used in X-rays?
Some diagnostic X-rays require a contrast medium of iodine, saline and air, barium-sulfate, or gadolinium swallowed or injected intravenously. Contrast mediums help create clearer images and make it easier to distinguish the organs, bones, tissues, and blood vessels.
Some people experience mild side effects with contrast medium injections, including:
A rush of warmth
Lightheadedness
Itching
Hives
Metallic taste
Severe reactions to contrast mediums are rare, but they may include severe low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, or anaphylactic shock.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain or suspect you have a fracture or broken bone, call South Alamo Foot & Ankle or schedule an appointment online.
