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Hands X-ray How the Test is Performed:
The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an X-ray technician. You will be asked to position the hand to be X-rayed on the table. The pictures are then taken, repositioning the hand for different views.
How to Prepare:
Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant . Remove all jewelry.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How it Feels:
There is no discomfort, except possibly from positioning the hand being X-rayed.
Risks:
There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the X-ray .
Why this Test is Performed:
Hand X-ray is used to detect fractures , tumors, or degenerative conditions of the hand.
Normal Values:
The X-ray will show normal structures for the age of the patient.
Abnormal Results:
Abnormal results include fractures , bone tumors , degenerative bone conditions, and osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone caused by an infection).
Cost:
The estimated cost is $40 to $60.
Special Considerations:
Not applicable.
Bone X-rays are a rapid way of determining the presence of fractures, dislocations, and other types of bone abnormalities. The procedure has the advantage of being painless and exposing the patient to only a small amount of radiation.
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