XR - BOTH KNEE AP/LATERAL VIEWS

A knee X-ray is a fast, common, and entirely painless diagnostic imaging test that your doctor may recommend to investigate symptoms like pain, swelling, or instability in your knee. It is a fundamental, non-invasive procedure that provides a clear and detailed look at the bones that make up your knee joint: the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the upper end of the shinbone (tibia) and the smaller bone next to it (fibula), and the kneecap (patella). At Cadabams Diagnostics, we use state-of-the-art X-ray technology to swiftly diagnose conditions causing your discomfort, helping you and your doctor take the next step toward effective treatment.

What is a Knee X-Ray?

An X-ray is a form of medical imaging that uses a very small, safe amount of electromagnetic radiation to generate images of the internal structures of your body. When we perform a knee X-ray, this beam of radiation passes through your knee to a detector. Because different tissues absorb radiation at different rates, a black-and-white picture is created. Dense structures like bones absorb the most radiation and appear bright white on the image. Softer tissues, such as muscles and skin, absorb less and appear in various shades of grey, providing a clear contrast that allows our radiologists to assess the health of your bones.

Types of Knee X-Ray

To get a complete picture of your knee joint, our radiologists may request several different views.

Standard Views

These are the most common types of knee X-rays and typically include:

• Anteroposterior (AP) View: The X-ray beam passes from the front of your knee to the back.
• Lateral View: The X-ray beam passes through your knee from one side to the other, providing a profile view of the joint.

Weight-Bearing Views

For this view, you will be asked to stand while the X-ray is taken. This allows the radiologist to see how your knee joint functions under the natural stress of your body weight. Weight-bearing views are especially useful for assessing joint space narrowing, a key indicator of osteoarthritis.

Bilateral Knee X-Ray

A bilateral knee X-ray involves imaging both of your knees at the same time. This is often done for comparison purposes, especially if one knee is injured and the other is not. It is also used to assess conditions like arthritis that may affect both joints simultaneously.

When a radiologist at Cadabams Diagnostics examines your images, they are assessing several key parameters to understand the source of your symptoms. The analysis includes looking for:

• Bone Integrity: The primary goal is to search for any fractures, breaks, chips, or cracks in the femur, tibia, fibula, or patella.
• Joint Alignment: The radiologist will check the proper positioning and alignment of the bones within the knee joint. Misalignment can indicate a dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation).
• Joint Space: This refers to the gap between the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia). A reduction or narrowing of this space is a classic sign of cartilage loss and arthritis.
• Bone Density & Texture: The images are also evaluated for any abnormal changes in bone texture, such as the appearance of bone spurs (osteophytes), cysts, tumours, or signs of bone thinning.

Taking an X-ray for knee pain is a critical first step in diagnosis. The specific reasons your doctor may order this test include:

• To discover the underlying cause of persistent knee pain, unexplained tenderness, or chronic swelling.
• To confirm or rule out a fracture after a traumatic event.
• To diagnose and monitor the progression of joint diseases like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• To check for the presence of fluid buildup in the knee joint (joint effusion).
• To evaluate for less common issues such as bone infections (osteomyelitis) or bone tumours.

When and Who Needs to Take a Knee X-Ray?

Your physician may recommend a knee X-ray for several reasons. You might need this test if you are:

• Experiencing acute or chronic knee pain, persistent swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or a feeling that your knee might "give out."
• An individual who has sustained a direct injury to the knee, such as from a fall, a sports-related incident, or an accident.
• A patient who requires pre-operative planning before knee surgery (like a knee replacement) or needs a post-operative evaluation to check the success of a surgical procedure.
• An individual with symptoms of a suspected degenerative joint disease, most commonly osteoarthritis.

Some of the advantages associated with an X-Ray of both knees are listed below:

Choosing to have a knee X-ray at Cadabams Diagnostics offers several clear advantages for your healthcare journey.

• Fast and Painless: The imaging process is very quick, non-invasive, and causes no pain.
• Clear Diagnosis: It provides a definitive and reliable diagnosis for many common bone-related conditions, ending the uncertainty about your knee problem.
• Treatment Guidance: The precise results allow your doctor to create the most effective and appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.
• Widely Available & Cost-Effective: X-ray is one of the most accessible and affordable diagnostic imaging tests available, making it an efficient first step in your evaluation.

Illnesses Diagnosed with X-ray of Both Knees

A knee X-ray is a powerful tool used to diagnose a wide range of conditions affecting the bones of the joint. These include:

• Fractures: Any type of broken bone in the knee area.
• Dislocations: When the bones of the joint are forced out of their normal alignment.
• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition identified by joint space narrowing and bone spurs. [Link to: Relevant Page Name/URL]
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease that can cause bone erosion visible on an X-ray.
• Gout: In some advanced cases, gout can cause characteristic changes to the bone.
• Bone Cysts or Tumors: Abnormal growths within the bone can often be identified.
• Osteomyelitis: Infections in the bone can cause changes that are visible on an X-ray.

One of the conveniences of a knee X-ray is that it generally requires no special preparation. We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without any metal elements like zippers, snaps, or buttons around the waist or legs, as metal can interfere with the images. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown to ensure a clear view of your knee.

Pre-requisites

A referral or prescription from your doctor is typically required to perform a knee X-ray. No fasting or special diet is necessary before you arrive for your test.

Best Time to Take the Knee X-Ray

A knee X-ray can be performed at any time of day. We understand that knee pain can be urgent, which is why Cadabams Diagnostics offers services on both a walk-in basis (with a referral) and by appointment for your convenience.

Eligibility

The knee X-ray is a safe and suitable test for almost everyone, from children to seniors. The only major contraindication is pregnancy. It is essential that patients who are pregnant or suspect they might be pregnant inform our medical staff before the procedure.

Procedure for Taking a Knee X-Ray

Understanding the knee x-ray procedure can help ease any concerns you may have. At Cadabams Diagnostics, the process is simple and efficient.

1. Check-in and Preparation: After checking in, a radiologic technologist will greet you and briefly explain the procedure. You'll be taken to the X-ray room and may be asked to change into a gown.
2. Positioning: The technologist will guide you into the correct position. You may be asked to lie on the X-ray table or stand, depending on the views your doctor has ordered. Your knee will be carefully positioned to get the clearest images. Pillows or sandbags may be used to help you hold the position comfortably.
3. Taking the Image: The technologist will step into a protected control area and instruct you to hold very still and not breathe for a few seconds. This prevents any movement that could blur the image. You won't feel anything as the X-ray is taken.
4. Repositioning for Different Views: This process will be repeated several times as your knee is moved into different positions (e.g., straight, bent, turned to the side) to capture all necessary views.
5. Completion: The entire process is usually completed in just 10-15 minutes. Once all the images are captured, you can change back into your clothes and are free to leave.

Caution Before Taking the Test

Your safety is our highest priority. Before the test begins, please be sure to:

• Inform our staff if you are or think you might be pregnant. This is the most crucial precaution.
• Mention any metal implants you have in or near your knee from previous surgeries, such as screws, plates, or a joint replacement.