X-ray is a special energy wave that can penetrate into any cell of a biological body. The penetration ability of such rays makes it possible to capture the illuminated area on the film, reveal the clinical picture and correctly diagnose. An x-ray of the arm, leg, or any other part of the body is done quickly and completely painless for the patient. What is an x-ray?
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Radiography is a special examination technique that makes it possible to notice in time any pathological changes not only in the bone, but also in the soft tissues of the body. Having received a detailed visual picture, having studied the data, the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis, prescribe the correct treatment, which, of course, will speed up recovery. To date, x-rays are considered the most accurate method for the diagnosis and study of many pathologies. In many citizens far from medicine, x-rays are associated with a fluorographic apparatus. This is far from the case. Modern experts have long been using computer tomographs that can immediately enlighten the entire human body and identify many diseases. All information obtained during transmission immediately goes to the computer monitor in the form of various "slices". By reading them, the radiologist will also establish the diagnosis. Modern medicine also has other methods for establishing a diagnosis, but the most accurate one than x-rays has not yet been found. X-ray diagnostics has a number of advantages:
- High precision images.
- There are not so many contraindications for this method.
- Painlessness. Non invasiveness.
- Quick result.
- X-rays are used even in the treatment of oncology.
Diseases and injuries of the hands
Medical practice shows that most often an x-ray of the hand is carried out with suspected bruises, fractures, and other mechanical injuries. However, changes in bones and joints can occur due to poor nutrition, improper metabolism, and other factors. It is an x-ray that allows you to identify pathologies, make the correct diagnosis and begin treatment.
The human hand is a fairly complex device, which is a very accurate and subtle mechanism. Like any other organs, human hands are prone to any diseases, mechanical injuries. Brushes - to a greater extent. For the timely detection of a disease (arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis) or mechanical damage (fracture), they often resort to x-rays. Having received an x-ray, the radiologist will make the correct diagnosis, and then you can begin to treat the disease. Arthritis often appears when salts are deposited in the joints, most often the patient receives fractures in the living conditions or at work. Diseases of the hands are always accompanied by pain, so you need to establish the cause in time. Untimely treatment can lead to pathological changes, later you can even lose your ability to work.
X-ray hands
Having been injured or suspected of having any disease, each patient in the direction from the doctor can do an X-ray examination of any part of the arm. With the help of a special apparatus, a picture is taken, according to which the picture becomes clear, the nature of the pain. Using this method, a specialist will immediately determine the cause and diagnosis of the disease. This can be arthrosis, osteolysis, arthritis, growths and even necrosis of bone tissue . If a person received a mechanical injury, first of all it is necessary to contact a traumatologist, who will give an x-ray direction. The study depends on the part of the limb, if an x-ray of the finger on the hand is needed, then they will take a picture of the brush. Individual images of the forearm or elbow joint are also produced. If you suspect a complex joint disease or fracture, doctors recommend taking a picture in two projections.
Features of the survey
X-ray allows you to diagnose, identify various abnormalities, pathologies in the bones and adjacent tissues. Apply this method to diagnose diseases of the elbow joint, nearby muscles. An x-ray of the hand allows you to diagnose the disease in the initial stages, this allows you to determine how the pathology affects the patient’s body as a whole. It is important to identify which joints are already susceptible to changes, at what stage the disease development process.
Rheumatic ailment is always manifested by unbearable pain in the joints of the hands. In this case, an x-ray is simply necessary. The doctor will be able to identify the stage of development of the pathology, make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. It is also very important to do this if the joints suffer from an excess of calcium and there are noticeable bone growths. In cases where the disease has not yet affected the joints themselves, dense structures in nearby soft tissues can be detected on an X-ray. In such cases, pathology is much more difficult to identify. The main diseases of the hands are a thickening of the joints, bone necrosis, thickening in the soft tissues.
X-ray preparation
Before any medical procedure, thorough preparation is required, an x-ray is no exception.
- Before an x-ray, the patient must remove all metal objects, as well as jewelry. This may affect the outcome of the study, as well as the further diagnosis and treatment.
- It is also important that it is necessary to remove all dressings, remove iodine residues from the skin, replace dressing bandages with aseptic ones. If there are traces of an adhesive patch on the body, then they must be removed.
- If you need a picture of a gypsum limb, first find out where to take an x-ray of the hand, whether the doctor will be present. He will give a recommendation whether it is worth removing the plaster cast or you can go through the procedure with it. If the cast was removed, the doctor himself should give further instructions.
- An important point. If a woman does an x-ray in the presence of pregnancy, she must inform the doctor about this fact. He will already decide how to carry out the procedure so as not to harm the baby.
X-ray brush
In addition to injuries, hands can suffer from a variety of diseases. Often, many do not think about preventive measures against diseases such as arthrosis, arthritis, do research only when it is necessary, for example, an x-ray of a broken arm, and after all, diseases of the hand must be detected in the early stages, until the initial pain leads to panic attacks. In order for the doctor to correctly diagnose any pathology of the hand, an X-ray examination is necessary. It will allow you to determine the degree of damage to the bone structure of the hand or muscle tissue. In the joints, deposition of salts, the formation of microcracks, which lead to impaired fine motor skills of the hand, can begin with age. Most often, on an x-ray, the doctor can observe:
- The death of bone tissue.
- Osteolysis.
- Thickening of the joints.
- The presence of calcifications in a soft structure.
Ionized beam treatment
In medicine, ionized rays are considered the most effective way to treat rheumatic diseases. Everyone knows that X-rays have a negative effect on health, but it is difficult to overestimate the healing effect of small doses of radiation for some ailments. If the doctor prescribed an x-ray of the wrist, while there was some kind of joint pathology, then it is worth noting that with timely radiotherapy, the patient can significantly reduce pain. Scientists have also proved that correctly selected doses of radiation from ionized rays effectively treat rheumatic diseases. This effect is also noticeable in patients suffering from arthrosis of the elbow and shoulder joints.
X-ray during pregnancy
Sometimes women have to do x-rays during pregnancy. Everyone knows that this can negatively affect the baby’s health. Is it always necessary to do this. For example, if you need an x-ray of the hand in case of injury, can I cancel it? The decision will be made by the doctor. And when is an x-ray study really necessary? There are a number of cases, these are:
- Suspicion of tuberculosis.
- Symptoms indicating pneumonia.
- Bone injuries.
- Dental examination.
Effect on the fetus
The effect of radiation on the fetus depends entirely on the location and dose. Today's methods allow you to protect your mother as much as possible from excessive radiation. However, such procedures are still carried out as a last resort. Everyone understands that even a regular x-ray of the hand carries a certain dose of radiation, there is always a risk. What are the threats to pregnancy:
- Damage to some degree of the central nervous system of the fetus.
- Risk of miscarriage.
- Complications of the course of pregnancy.
- Deformation of cellular matter, DNA structure.