When you go to get treatment for a backache or neck pain that you have been having for a while , your doctor may have told you to get an X-ray. Some people get a little scared when they hear this, and a lot of things come to mind. "What do you mean by an X-ray? What does it look like? They say radiation is not good for the body..." You may have questions like this too. This is really nothing to be afraid of. So today, let's talk about this spinal X-ray, or in medical terms, `(Spinal X-Ray)`, very simply.
What exactly is a spinal X-ray?
Simply put, a spinal X-ray is a test that uses a very small amount of radiation to produce a clear picture of the bones in our spine.
Imagine that a technician uses a special machine to send a beam of X-rays through your body. These rays come out of the other side of your body and are recorded on special film or a computer. Because these rays have difficulty passing through denser parts of our body, such as bones, they appear white in the picture. But because they pass through soft tissues, such as fat and muscle, they appear gray . Looking at the black-and-white picture that you get in this way can help your doctor find the cause of your back pain.
Our spine is not one long bone. It is made up of 33 small bones called `vertebrae` joined together. Therefore, if the doctor wants, he can take an X-ray of only a specific part of the spine.
| Spine Section | Location and description |
|---|---|
| Cervical spine | The 7 vertebrae in the neck area. |
| Thoracic spine | The 12 vertebrae in the upper body, behind the chest. |
| Lumbar spine | The 5th vertebrae in our lower back, where many people experience back pain. |
| Sacral area | The 5 small, fused vertebrae at the base of the spine. |
| Coccyx/tailbone | The bone known as our 'coccyx' is made up of 4 small vertebrae fused together. |
When is a Spinal X-Ray taken?
Not all back pain requires an X-ray. Your doctor will only order this test if they suspect a specific condition after examining you.
An X-ray is often the first step in diagnosing a disease. The information obtained from it is used to decide what to do next.
You can get a clearer idea about this from the table below.
| Suspected medical condition/cause | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Broken bones | Check for a broken bone after a fall or accident. |
| Arthritis | Find out if age-related joint changes affect the spine. |
| Spinal disk problems | Get an idea of the changes (even if they are not completely visible) in the 'discs' between the vertebrae. |
| Tumors | Check for abnormal growths in the bones of the spine. |
| Osteoporosis | Check to see if the bones have become thin and break easily. |
| Abnormal curves of the spine | For example, identify spinal curvature conditions like scoliosis. |
| Infections | If you have back pain and a fever, check for a bone infection. |
Sometimes it's hard to get a complete picture from an X-ray alone. In such cases, your doctor may refer you to a ``CT scan (Computed Tomography scan)'' or ``MRI scan ( magnetic resonance imaging scan).`` A CT scan uses X-rays to take cross-sectional pictures of the body. An MRI scan uses a magnetic field to take very clear pictures of the spine and surrounding soft tissues without using radiation.
Is there a risk in this? Should I be afraid?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. Actually, the amount of radiation used for a spinal X-ray is usually very low . Therefore, the risk of developing cancer cells is very low. There is no need to worry about it. However, if you have undergone frequent X-ray examinations in the past, it is a good idea to tell the doctor about it.
However, there is something we definitely need to be careful about here.
If you are pregnant, or have even the slightest suspicion that you are, you should definitely tell the doctor and the technician before the X-ray. Since the baby in the womb is more sensitive to radiation, the doctor may suggest another safer test.
How do you prepare before an X-Ray?
No special preparation is required, but be aware of the following:
- Please let me know in advance whether you are pregnant or not.
- If you use something like an insulin pump , mention that.
- If you have recently had an X-ray done with a substance like barium, tell us about that too.
You will need to wear a special gown provided by the hospital during the X-ray. Also, since metal objects will show up on the X-ray image, you will need to remove the following items:
- Jewelry ( earrings , necklaces, rings)
- Hairpins
- Glasses
- Hearing aids
What happens when an X-Ray is taken?
This is a very simple procedure where you lie down on a special table. The X-ray machine is positioned above you. The technician positions you so that the part of your back that needs to be X-rayed is directly under the machine. Then, the rest of your body is covered with a special lead-based apron to protect it from radiation.
Next, the technician will go behind a protective screen and turn on the machine. It is very important that you remain still, hold your breath, and do not move. If you move, the image may be blurry. This will take a few seconds. You may hear a clicking sound from the machine, but you will not feel any pain .
Sometimes, you may need to take several pictures in different positions, not just one pose, such as standing, turning sideways, or bending over. The whole process takes as little as 5 minutes.
The X-Ray Report... What happens next?
After the images are taken, the technician will ask you to wait a few minutes to make sure the images are clear. Then, the images are reviewed by a radiologist and a report is prepared. Finally, your doctor will review the X-ray images along with the report and explain to you clearly what the results are, what is causing your pain, and what treatment is needed next.
Take-Home Message
- A spinal X-ray is a simple, quick, and painless test that examines the bones of your back and neck.
- Because the amount of radiation used is very low, the risk is generally very low.
- If you are pregnant or suspect you are, you must inform the doctor and the officer taking the X-ray.
- To get a clear picture, remove all metal jewelry from your body.
- Talk openly with your doctor about the results of the test and the next steps to take.
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