Sometimes when we walk, run, or climb stairs, our knees hurt, right? Or maybe after a minor accident, our knees swell up. When you go to the doctor at a time like this, you may have heard him say, 'Let's take an X-ray of your knee.' So, many people are a little scared of this X-ray. But it's actually a very simple, painless test. Let's talk about everything clearly.
What does this knee X-ray actually mean?
Simply put, a knee X-ray is a black-and-white picture of what's inside your knee. This picture can give you a good idea of your knee joint, the bones (tendons) and the soft tissues around it.
Think about it, our eyes can only see outside the body. But X-rays are a technique that uses a special type of radiation to take a "picture" of the inside of the body. When these X-rays pass through our bodies, dense objects like bones absorb more of these rays. That's why bones appear white in an X-ray image. But because these rays pass through soft tissues like muscle and fat more easily, they appear in various shades of gray .
This picture allows the doctor to clearly see the major bones in your knee. These include:
- Kneecap (Patella)
- Lower part of the thigh bone (Femur)
- Upper part of the shin bone (Tibia)
- Sometimes the thin bone on the outside of the ankle (Fibula) is also visible in this picture.
This way, doctors can see what's inside your knee, accurately diagnose your condition, and prescribe the necessary treatment.
When do I need a knee X-ray?
The first thing your doctor will recommend is an X-ray to find the cause of your knee pain, swelling, or discomfort. This can reveal a lot of information. Let's take a look at what those things are.
| Recognizable condition | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Fractures | You can check to see if the kneecap is broken or burst somewhere. |
| Joint Dislocation | You can tell if the bones in the knee joint have slipped out of place. |
| Excess fluid in the joint | You can check for abnormal fluid buildup inside the joint. This could be a sign of a sprain. |
| Loose pieces of bone | Check to see if there are any small pieces of broken bone inside the joint. |
| Bone spurs (Bone Spurs / Osteophytes) | Check for unwanted, spike-like bumps that form on the bones with age. |
| Joint pain (Osteoarthritis) | Check for arthritis, or what many people call 'the thorn in the side'. |
| Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis) | Check for any bacterial infection in the knee bones. |
| Osteopenia | Find out if your bones have lost density and become weak. |
| Bone Cancer | Identify rare, cancerous conditions that occur in the bones. |
Additionally, after a broken kneecap is treated, X-rays are used to check if it is properly fixed and healed . Also, if someone has had a knee replacement, they will need to take X-rays periodically to monitor the condition of the joint.
What happens when an X-ray is taken? Let's take a step-by-step look at it.
This process is very simple. Let's see how it goes.
Do I need to prepare before the X-ray?
No special preparation is required, but keep these things in mind:
- Wear comfortable clothing that is free of metal as much as possible . Metal can be caught in the X-ray image and make it less clear. Even things like the zip and buttons on your pants can be affected.
- You will be asked to remove any metal objects such as jewelry, watches, and belts during the X-ray.
- It is very important to tell the person taking the X-ray (technologist) if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Although the amount of radiation from a knee X-ray is usually very low, it is important to avoid any possible harm to the unborn baby.
If you have any questions, you can ask the technologist before taking the X-ray.
What happens in the X-ray room?
The X-ray is taken in a special room in the hospital's Radiology Department.
1. Protective clothing: After you enter the room, you will be given a lead apron to wear to protect yourself from radiation. This prevents the radiation from reaching other parts of your body.
2. Correct posture: You will be positioned correctly in front of the X-ray machine. You may be asked to stand , sit , or lie down on a table .
3. Stay still: The most important thing is to stay still for a few seconds while the X-ray is being taken. If you move, the image will be blurry and you will have to retake it. Sometimes you may be asked to hold your breath for a while.
4. Taking pictures from different angles: Usually, at least three pictures are taken during a knee X-ray.
- Anteroposterior view: View the knee straight in front .
- Lateral view: View the knee from the side.
- Knees bent (Sunrise view): Knees bent so that the kneecap is clearly visible.
Sometimes, your doctor may also order an X-ray of your other (healthy) knee to compare the two knees and get a better idea of the difference in the knee with the problem.
The whole process takes about 10 minutes. It's like having a photo taken, and you won't feel any pain.
Who takes the X-ray?
These X-ray images are taken by a Radiologic Technologist , who has received special training in radioactivity, operating X-ray machines, and patient safety.
What happens after the X-ray is taken?
After the X-ray is taken, the technologist will check the images to make sure they are clear. If any of the images are blurry, they will retake them while you are there.
Then, a specialist doctor looks at the X-ray images. This doctor, who has received special training in analyzing X-ray images, is called a radiologist . He or she will carefully examine your X-ray images and write a report about what is found on them.
This report will be sent to your treating doctor (the doctor who referred you for the X-ray). Your doctor will then review the report, explain the results to you, and decide what treatment is needed.
Sometimes, in an emergency situation like an accident, X-ray results may be available immediately. Otherwise, your doctor will usually receive the report within a day or two.
Is there any risk in this?
When people think of an X-ray, they are afraid of radiation. But in reality, the X-rays used in medicine contain very low levels of radiation.
The amount of radiation emitted from a knee X-ray is usually very low. The benefit of obtaining an accurate diagnosis far outweighs this very small risk.
- Pregnant mothers: As mentioned earlier, if you are pregnant, you should definitely tell your doctor so that you can take precautions to minimize the potential impact on your baby.
- Young children: When taking X-rays on young children, the minimum amount of radiation needed is used.
Although exposure to very high levels of radiation can pose a risk of cancer, the amount received from a single X-ray is far from sufficient. Therefore, do not be unnecessarily afraid of having an X-ray recommended by your doctor.
Can an X-ray show everything in the knee?
This is also a very important question. An X-ray is best done only to see the bones (vertebrae) .
The soft tissues in the knee, such as the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage (meniscus) that help keep the knee joint stable, are not clearly visible on an X-ray image.
If your doctor suspects that you have torn a ligament or damaged cartilage in your knee, he or she will likely order an MRI scan or possibly a CT scan . These tests can provide a clearer picture of the soft tissues.
However, most of the time, a doctor will order an X-ray first because it is quick, easy, and the best way to first confirm the condition of the bones.
If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness in your knee, talk to a doctor about it. He or she can quickly diagnose the cause of your problem through a simple X-ray, if necessary, and help you begin the necessary treatment.
Take-Home Message
- A knee X-ray is a very simple, painless test that checks the condition of the bones in your knee.
- This doesn't require any special preparation. It's best to wear clothes that have fewer metal parts.
- You will have to remove any metal objects, such as your jewelry, when taking the X-ray.
- If you are pregnant or suspect you are, be sure to tell the person taking the X-ray.
- The amount of radiation from this is very low, so don't be unnecessarily afraid of it. An accurate diagnosis is much more valuable.
- After receiving the X-ray report, your doctor will explain it to you in simple terms.
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