X-Ray
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WestsideMed
Urgent Care & Primary Care Practice located in Atlanta, GA
If you fall while working or playing sports and the injury results in swelling or pain, an X-ray can determine the underlying cause. At WestsideMed, the team offers digital X-rays on-site at their state-of-the-art facilities. To make an appointment at the practice in Atlanta, Georgia, call the office or schedule online.
X-Ray Q&A
What is an X-ray?
A digital X-ray is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a small dose of ionizing radiation to capture detailed photographs of the bones and joints inside your body. X-rays are one of the quickest and safest ways to assess fractures, joint injuries, and other musculoskeletal abnormalities.
At WestsideMed, the team conducts digital X-rays on-site. There’s no need for a referral, so you can undergo your scans right away.
What are X-rays used for?
At WestsideMed, the team uses X-rays to:
- Diagnose broken bones
- Monitor the progress of a cast or splint following a fracture
- Look for underlying medical conditions, like arthritis or abnormal bone growths
- Locate foreign objects
You might also benefit from an X-ray if you play sports and dislocate a joint.
How do I prepare for an X-ray?
Digital X-rays don’t require any special preparation. On the day of your appointment, you’re asked to remove any jewelry and change into a medical gown.
If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, let your provider know. Many imaging procedures, including X-rays, aren’t performed during pregnancy to protect the growing fetus.
What does an X-ray involve?
A digital X-ray is a quick, outpatient procedure that rarely takes longer than half an hour. After you change into a gown, your WestsideMed provider positions you on an X-ray table. You might sit or lie down, depending on the area of your body being X-rayed.
Next, your provider asks you to stay very still. They leave the room, take a series of X-rays, and return to reposition you. Your provider repeats the same steps until they’ve taken all of the necessary images.
After taking the X-rays, you’re moved to an observation room. Your WestsideMed provider reviews the images and makes a diagnosis. Then, they explain the source of your symptoms and develop a custom treatment plan.
Are X-rays safe?
Digital X-rays are safe and usually well-tolerated. The team at WestsideMed takes every precaution to minimize your exposure to radiation. Following an X-ray, there’s no recovery period or downtime, so you can return to work, exercise, and other normal activities right away.
If you need an X-ray, schedule an appointment at WestsideMed by calling the office or scheduling online today.
