XR - KNEE AP & LATERAL VIEWS

A Knee X-Ray (AP & Lateral) is a fundamental and often first-line diagnostic imaging test prescribed by doctors to investigate knee pain, injury, or other joint issues. Its primary purpose is to create clear images of the bones that form the knee joint: the bottom of the thigh bone (femur), the top of the shin bone (tibia), the smaller bone alongside the tibia (fibula), and the kneecap (patella). At Cadabams Diagnostics, we ensure this essential procedure is performed quickly and comfortably. It is a painless, non-invasive test that provides your doctor with crucial information to diagnose your condition accurately and plan the most effective treatment.

What is a Knee X-Ray?

A knee x-ray, officially known as XR - KNEE AP & LATERAL VIEWS, uses a small, safe amount of electromagnetic radiation to generate images of the internal structures of your knee. Dense structures like bone block more radiation and appear white on the x-ray film, while softer tissues allow more radiation to pass through and appear in shades of grey.

To get a complete picture of the joint, two standard views are almost always taken:

• AP (Anterior-Posterior) View: This image is taken from the front of the knee while your leg is straight. It provides a clear, head-on look at the alignment of the femur and tibia and the space between them.
• Lateral View: This image is taken from the side of the knee while it is bent. It is essential for viewing the patella and assessing the alignment from a different angle.

Completing a 2 view knee x-ray is a standard diagnostic practice. These two angles provide a three-dimensional understanding of the bone structures, which is critical for identifying subtle fractures, assessing joint alignment, and evaluating the extent of degenerative changes that might be missed with only a single view.

Types of Knee X-Ray

The AP & Lateral views are the standard and most frequently performed knee x-ray procedures. However, depending on your specific symptoms and what your doctor is looking for, other specialized views may be ordered:

• Weight-Bearing X-Ray: Taken while you are standing to see how your knee joint is affected by gravity and body weight, which is particularly useful for assessing arthritis.
• Oblique Views: Taken with the knee rotated to specific angles to reveal parts of the bone that might be hidden in the standard AP and Lateral views.
• Sunrise View (Skyline or Merchant View): A specific angle used to get a clear view of the patella (kneecap) and how it sits in its groove on the femur.

When a board-certified radiologist at Cadabams Diagnostics examines your knee x-ray images, they are meticulously analyzing several key parameters to provide a detailed report for your doctor. These include:

• Bone Integrity: Checking for any signs of fractures, from complete breaks to subtle hairline cracks.
• Joint Alignment and Spacing: Assessing the space between the femur and tibia. A narrow space can indicate cartilage loss, a primary sign of osteoarthritis.
• Dislocation or Subluxation: Looking to see if the kneecap or the main joint is out of its normal position.
• Osteophytes: Identifying the presence of bone spurs, which are bony growths that often form in response to joint damage from arthritis.
• Bone Texture and Density: Observing any changes in the bone's appearance that could suggest conditions like infection, bone cysts, or, rarely, tumors.
• Foreign Objects: Searching for any foreign bodies like metal or glass that may have entered the tissue during an injury.

A knee x-ray is one of the most effective ways to get to the bottom of concerning knee symptoms. Your doctor will likely order this test if you report:

• Acute Pain: Sharp or severe pain that follows a direct blow, a fall, or a sudden twisting motion.
• Chronic Pain and Stiffness: Ongoing discomfort, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods.
• Audible "Pop" or "Snap": Hearing a distinct sound at the moment of injury, which often points to a significant structural problem.
• Inability to Bear Weight: Difficulty or inability to put your full weight on the affected leg.
• Visible Deformity: If the knee or leg appears misshapen or out of its normal alignment.
• Significant Swelling or Bruising: Fluid buildup or discoloration around the knee joint.

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

Your doctor may recommend a knee x-ray if you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent knee pain, swelling, joint instability, popping or grinding sounds, or a reduced range of motion. It is a cornerstone diagnostic tool for various patient groups and situations:

• Acute Injuries: For anyone who has suffered a fall, sports injury, or direct blow to the knee.
• Athletes: To rule out fractures or stress fractures after an injury on the field or court.
• Arthritis Evaluation: It's a key test for diagnosing and monitoring osteoarthritis. An x-ray for knee arthritis helps visualize joint space narrowing and bone spurs.
• Post-Operative Patients: To check the alignment and healing of bones after knee surgery.
• Chronic Pain: To investigate the underlying cause of long-term knee discomfort.

Benefits of Taking the Test

Choosing to have a knee x-ray provides several significant benefits for you and your healthcare provider:

• Speed and Efficiency: The procedure is very quick, providing rapid answers when time is critical, especially after an injury.
• Diagnostic Accuracy: It is a highly reliable method for identifying fractures, dislocations, and advanced arthritis.
• Guides Treatment: The results directly inform your doctor's treatment plan, whether it involves simple rest, a cast, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.
• Cost-Effectiveness: X-rays are one of the most affordable and widely accessible medical imaging technologies.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Knee X-ray (AP & Lateral Views)

Often patients ask, "What does a knee x-ray show?" This powerful diagnostic tool can help confirm or rule out a wide range of conditions affecting the knee joint, including:

• Fractures: Breaks in the femur, tibia, fibula, or patella.
• Arthritis: Both Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (an autoimmune disease) cause visible changes in the joint that an x-ray can detect.
• Dislocations: When the bones of the joint are forced from their normal positions.
• Bone Cysts or Tumors: Abnormal growths or lesions on the bone can be identified.
• Gout: In some advanced cases, gout can cause bone erosion that is visible on an x-ray.
• Infections of the Bone (Osteomyelitis): Can cause changes in the bone's appearance over time.

One of the conveniences of this test is that there is very little knee x-ray procedure prep required.

• No special diet or fasting is necessary. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not have any metal, such as zippers, snaps, or buttons, around the knee area.
• You may be asked to change into a hospital gown to ensure that clothing does not interfere with the quality of the images.
• Be sure to remove any jewelry from the leg being imaged.

Pre-requisites

A referral or prescription from your doctor is typically required to undergo a knee x-ray at Cadabams Diagnostics. No prior tests are needed before this procedure.

Best Time to Take the Knee X-Ray

A knee x-ray can be performed at any time during our operating hours. In emergency or urgent care situations, it is often performed immediately following an injury to allow for a swift diagnosis.

Eligibility

The XR - KNEE AP & LATERAL VIEWS is a suitable and safe test for patients of all ages, from young children with playground injuries to seniors with degenerative joint disease. The primary contraindication is pregnancy. Female patients should always inform the radiographer or technologist if there is any possibility they are pregnant.

Procedure for Taking a Knee X-Ray

The procedure for a knee x-ray at Cadabams Diagnostics is simple and straightforward. Our skilled technologists will guide you through every step:

• Step 1: Preparation: The technologist will call you into the x-ray room, confirm your identity and the procedure, and briefly explain what will happen. They will answer any questions you may have.
• Step 2: Positioning: You will be asked to lie down on the x-ray table. The technologist will position your affected leg correctly. A lead apron may be placed over your pelvic area to shield you from unnecessary radiation exposure.
• Step 3: AP (Anterior-Posterior) View: For the first image, your leg will be straightened. The technologist will position the x-ray machine over your knee and ask you to hold perfectly still for a few moments while the image is captured.
• Step 4: Lateral View: For the second image, you will be asked to bend your knee and roll slightly onto your side. This provides the side view of the joint. Again, you will need to remain still for a few seconds.
• Step 5: Completion: Once the images are confirmed to be clear, the procedure is complete. The entire process, from entering the room to leaving, typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

Your safety is our top priority. It is absolutely critical that you inform the radiographer or technologist if you are, or suspect you might be, pregnant before the procedure begins.