The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
myClipboard
myClipboard
Save news, events, articles and doctor's information to your personal clipboard for later reference.
Add items by clicking the 
button.
Create an account
Centers of Excellence
-
-
We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
-
The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
-
Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
-
The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
Share
Print
Related Media
Extremity x-ray
Definition
An extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, or all of these areas. The term "extremity" often refers to a human hand or foot.
X-rays are a form of radiation that passo into the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white. Air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray.
See also:
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 technologist. You will be asked to place the specific area being x-rayed (such as your hand, wrist, or foot) on the table.
You will need to hold still as the x-ray is taken. You may be asked to change position, so more x-rays can be taken.
How to prepare for the test
Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry from the area being imaged.
How the test will feel
In general, there is no discomfort. You may be slightly uncomfortable while the hand or foot is put in place for the x-ray.
Why the test is performed
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of a fractures, tumors, or degenerative conditions in a hand, foot, or wrist.
Normal Values
The x-ray shows normal structures for the age of the patient.
What abnormal results mean
Abnormal results may be due to:
- Bone conditions that get worse over time (degenerative)
- Broken bone (fracture)
- Dislocated bone
Other conditions for which the test may be performed:
- Clubfoot
- To detect foreign objects in the body
What the risks are
There is low-level 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 an x-ray.
Special considerations
References
Rogers LF, Taljanovic MS, Boles CA. Skeletal trauma. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 46.
Mettler FA. Introduction. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 1.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).