X-ray of the hand

RTG (X-ray) diagnostics is one of the oldest and most commonly used diagnostic methods in medicine. It is a technique that uses electromagnetic radiation in the form of X-rays to obtain images of internal body structures. RTG diagnostics is non-invasive and quick, making it useful in diagnosing various diseases and conditions. In RTG diagnostics, the patient stands, lies, or sits in front of the X-ray machine, and the body is exposed to a small amount of ionizing radiation. X-rays pass through the body and create an image on a special film or digital sensor located on the other side of the patient. Images can show bones, internal organs, and soft tissues. RTG diagnostics is relatively inexpensive and quick and is available in almost all hospitals and medical institutions. However, exposure to ionizing radiation can be harmful, especially with frequent repetition of the procedure. Therefore, it is usually avoided in diagnosing pregnant women and children, and other, safer diagnostic methods are applied.

What Does Hand RTG Involve?

RTG of the hand is a diagnostic medical procedure used to adequately assess bones, joints, and soft tissues in the hand area. This examination is performed by placing the hand on the RTG machine, then emitting a small amount of ionizing radiation through the hand using this machine. During this procedure, detectors on the other side of the hand immediately record the reflected radiation energy and convert it into an image that the doctor can use to assess the condition of the bones and joints.

What Visible on Hand Images

Hand RTG images show bones, joints, and soft tissues such as muscles and tendons. Hand RTG enables the doctor to evaluate the actual condition of bones and joints to detect any damage and injuries, such as bone fractures, arthritis, or other problems. In most cases, patients will need to have a hand RTG done only once to establish the initial diagnosis. However, some medical cases, such as more serious fractures, require repeating the RTG image after a few weeks or months to monitor the condition of the injured bones.

Procedure Comfort

Hand RTG itself is not a painful procedure, and during it the patient may feel only slight discomfort while holding the hand on the device during imaging. Also, due to the low radiation dose used, there are no significant risks or side effects associated with this procedure.

Preparation Required

In most cases, no special preparation is needed before hand RTG. However, the patient should remove all metal objects from the hand area, such as bracelets or watches, to prevent interference with the RTG image. Also, women should inform their doctor if they are pregnant, as radiation exposure may increase the risk of complications.