X-Rays

X-ray technology has evolved considerably over the last century since it was first used. At their state-of-the-art onsite facility, the expert team of primary care professionals at Medical Access uses X-rays to make an accurate diagnosis of your condition and assess the extent of damage to fractured bones. Call the Medical Access office in Germantown, Maryland, or Alexandria and Woodbridge, Virginia, to find out more or use the online booking took to schedule a consultation.

What are X-rays?

The X-ray is a diagnostic imaging tool that's been in use for many decades. It enables your provider at Medical Access to see under your skin and tissues to your bones.

X-ray technology uses low doses of ionizing radiation to create two-dimensional pictures of specific parts of your body, in particular your bones. Your provider can also use X-rays to look at your lungs and other organs, identify pockets of air, and see whether you have any metal objects inside your body.

X-rays can help your provider confirm a suspected diagnosis or rule out possible causes of your symptoms. X-rays are also one of the best methods of assessing fractures and other injuries to determine how best to repair the damage.

Are X-rays safe?

X-rays have been around for many years – they were a very early form of diagnostic technology, so there's an abundance of evidence to support their value and safety.

Modern X-ray technology uses the minimum quantity of radiation necessary to produce clear images. It's quite possible that you experience exposure to higher levels of radiation from your natural environment than you would during an X-ray because there are varying levels of radiation in the soil, water, and air all around you.

Having said that, unnecessary exposure to radiation isn't a good idea, so the Medical Access team only uses X-rays when there's a definite medical benefit. They also limit exposure to the precise parts of your body that need examining.

X-rays are painless and non-invasive, and it's worth bearing in mind that using X-ray technology often means you don't need to undergo invasive tests or procedures.

What happens when I have an X-ray?

Having an X-ray at Medical Access is a straightforward procedure, and their convenient onsite facilities cause minimal disruption to your day.

You might need to take off some of your clothes, depending on which part of your body is being X-rayed, but you can usually put on a hospital gown. You might also have to remove jewelry, watches, or other metal objects before your X-ray.

You need to lie, sit, or stand in a position so the X-ray equipment has clear access to the target part of your body. Once you're in the right position, you need to keep still while the X-ray technician leaves the room to take the images.

You might need to follow simple instructions, such as holding your breath while the machine takes the X-ray. Once the X-ray process is complete, you can carry on with your day as usual.

To find out how to take advantage of the onsite X-ray facilities at Medical Access, call today or use the online booking form to make an appointment.