Frequently Asked Questions
What is an X-ray?
X-rays make up a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that also includes light and other forms of naturally occurring radiation. X-rays are employed extensively as a diagnostic tool in medicine and are often the starting point in determining the cause of pain, confirming or excluding fractures/dislocations, assessing the extent or progression of degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, disc degenerative disease in the spine and many other conditions.
X-rays essentially use a very small amount of radiation to create a ‘negative’ image of the internal structures of the body. The body part to be x-rayed is placed between the x-ray tube, where the x-rays are created and the x-ray cassette or sensor and the resultant image displays internal anatomy in shades of grey - with more dense structures such as bone appearing as white and least dense structures such as air in the lungs or gas in the gastro-intestinal system appearing as black.
Are X-rays safe?
Technological advances have ensured that X-rays taken using modern imaging equipment are extremely safe for the patient and use significantly less radiation than past machines allowed.
It is important to realize that we are constantly exposed to natural background radiation from cosmic, planetary and atmospheric sources sources such as space, the sun, soil, rocks and air. This radiation is essentially harmless and a chest X-ray, for example, involves a dose equivalent to around only 10 days of this naturally occurring radiation.
Are X-rays painful?
X-rays, in themselves, are not painful and medical radiation practitioners are highly trained to ensure that any discomfort experienced during positioning is minimized.
Should X-rays be performed during pregnancy?
X-rays should, where possible, be avoided during pregnancy as there may be increased risk to the developing foetus, particularly in the first three months. Female patients of potential child-bearing age will therefore be requested to answer and sign next to a disclaimer question present on the referral form. When in doubt - X-ray examinations should be performed within the 10 day period following the onset of the last menstrual period – particularly for X-rays involving exposure to the lower abdomen and pelvic regions.
If, however, your doctor deems that an X-ray examination is indeed unavoidable – appropriate lead shielding will be applied to keep risk to an absolute minimum.
X-rays make up a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that also includes light and other forms of naturally occurring radiation. X-rays are employed extensively as a diagnostic tool in medicine and are often the starting point in determining the cause of pain, confirming or excluding fractures/dislocations, assessing the extent or progression of degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, disc degenerative disease in the spine and many other conditions.
X-rays essentially use a very small amount of radiation to create a ‘negative’ image of the internal structures of the body. The body part to be x-rayed is placed between the x-ray tube, where the x-rays are created and the x-ray cassette or sensor and the resultant image displays internal anatomy in shades of grey - with more dense structures such as bone appearing as white and least dense structures such as air in the lungs or gas in the gastro-intestinal system appearing as black.
Are X-rays safe?
Technological advances have ensured that X-rays taken using modern imaging equipment are extremely safe for the patient and use significantly less radiation than past machines allowed.
It is important to realize that we are constantly exposed to natural background radiation from cosmic, planetary and atmospheric sources sources such as space, the sun, soil, rocks and air. This radiation is essentially harmless and a chest X-ray, for example, involves a dose equivalent to around only 10 days of this naturally occurring radiation.
Are X-rays painful?
X-rays, in themselves, are not painful and medical radiation practitioners are highly trained to ensure that any discomfort experienced during positioning is minimized.
Should X-rays be performed during pregnancy?
X-rays should, where possible, be avoided during pregnancy as there may be increased risk to the developing foetus, particularly in the first three months. Female patients of potential child-bearing age will therefore be requested to answer and sign next to a disclaimer question present on the referral form. When in doubt - X-ray examinations should be performed within the 10 day period following the onset of the last menstrual period – particularly for X-rays involving exposure to the lower abdomen and pelvic regions.
If, however, your doctor deems that an X-ray examination is indeed unavoidable – appropriate lead shielding will be applied to keep risk to an absolute minimum.
