Are you scared of a pelvic X-ray? Let's get this straight!

Do you often have pain in your hip or waist? Perhaps you have difficulty walking, sitting down, or getting up? Or have you experienced severe pain or swelling in that area due to a sudden fall? In such a situation, when you go to see a doctor, he may ask you to have a pelvic X-ray. Some people get a little scared when they hear the word "X-ray." But this is actually a very simple, painless test. Today, let's talk about what a pelvic X-ray is, why it's done, and how it's done.

Simply put, what is a Pelvis X-ray?

A pelvic X-ray is a medical test that takes a picture (a black-and-white photograph) of your pelvic cavity, or hip bone area, that shows the bones clearly. It's like taking a photo, but it shows the bones inside your body.

Your pelvis is made up of several bones.

• Hip bones: These have three parts: Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis.
• Sacrum: The triangular-shaped bone at the bottom of your spine.
• Coccyx: The little bone we call the "tail bone."

This X-ray image is very helpful for a doctor to look at the condition of these bones and find the cause of your pain or other symptoms.

In what cases does the doctor tell you to get a pelvic X-ray?

This test is mainly done to find the cause of pain, swelling, or deformity in your hip, hip joint, or thigh area. Imagine an elderly person who slipped and fell in the bathroom. He is in so much pain that he cannot get up from his hip. In such a situation, the doctor first checks to see if there is a fracture in the hip bone. The best and quickest way to do that is to take a Pelvis X-ray.

There are several other cases like this.

How should I prepare before taking the X-ray?

This doesn't require much preparation, but it's very important to keep these things in mind.

• Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal parts (zips, buttons). You will often be asked to wear a hospital gown.
• Remove metal: You will need to remove all metal objects you are wearing. This means things like your belt, jewelry, and keys. Metal does not absorb X-rays well, so the image will not be clear.
• If you are pregnant: If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, you should definitely tell the technologist who is taking the X-ray. Although X-rays contain very small amounts of radiation, the exposure of the developing baby to it should be minimized. If necessary, the X-ray will be taken with safety precautions to ensure that the baby is not harmed.

What happens during the X-ray?

The X-ray is taken in a special room in the hospital's Radiology Department. This task is performed by a Radiologic Technologist who has received special training for the purpose.

1. Preparation: The technologist will take you to the X-ray room and explain what to do. You may also be asked to wear a lead apron to protect other parts of your body from radiation.

2. Position: You will be placed face up on the X-ray machine table. There is a digital recording plate underneath the table that records the X-ray image.

3. Don't move: It's very important to stay still while taking the picture. If you move, the picture may be blurry. So you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.

4. Taking pictures: The technologist goes to a separate booth, turns on the machine, and takes pictures. Usually, pictures are taken not just in one position, but in two positions. One with the legs straight (anteroposterior view) and the other with the legs bent at the knees (lateral view). The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

What happens after the X-ray is taken?

After the images are taken, the technician checks them to make sure they are clear. If any images are blurry, they can be retaken immediately.

Then, a radiologist studies these X-ray images carefully. He is the one who can accurately identify problems, such as fractures, in the bones by looking at these images. He writes a report with his observations.

This report will be sent to your treating doctor . Your doctor will review the report, compare it with your symptoms, explain your condition, and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Is there any risk in this?

A pelvic X-ray is a very safe test, but many people are scared when they hear the word "radiation."

It actually uses a very small amount of radiation . It only passes through your body and records the image. It doesn't cause any side effects.

If you have any doubts or fears about this radiation, talk to your doctor about it openly.

Some frequently asked questions

• Can an X-ray check for fluid in the hip area?

Usually, fluid is not visible on an X-ray. An ultrasound scan or CT scan is more appropriate for this condition.

• Is there a difference between pelvic X-ray images of women and men?

Yes. This is a very interesting fact. As women and men reach puberty, the shape of their hip bones changes. Women's hips are usually wider and rounder to facilitate childbirth. Men's hips are narrower, oval, or heart-shaped.