X-rays of the hand, fingers, forearm and shoulder: how to do?

Now it is difficult to imagine medicine without the discovery of the German professor of physics, Wilhelm Roentgen, who, studying the electric rays, discovered that they penetrate dense material and project his image on the screen. For the first time he saw an X-ray of his hand, placing it in the path of the rays. Replacing the screen with a photographic plate, he presented his discovery to the world in the form in which it exists to this day. Without it, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan would be impossible. What medical conditions are prescribing an x-ray of the hand now?

Indications for the procedure

The need for an x-ray of the arm arises when there are patient complaints about pain in the limb, a fall or other injury occurred, and there have been changes in the appearance of the arms. In this case, the doctor suggests the following diseases:

• rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the joints of the limbs, most often of the hands. It begins with the smallest, gradually affecting the cartilage and leading to deformation of the articular bones. An x-ray of the hand gives a picture of the extent of the damage and the integrity of the bone;
• polyneuropathy - damage to the structure of the nerve fibers of the peripheral nerves of the motor system, impaired muscle contraction. It is expressed in the numbness of the hands, tingling, sometimes pain is present;
• hand fracture - a traumatic injury that led to a breach of the integrity of the bone of the arm in any of its segments. Most often the fractures of the lower third of the radial hand, phalanges of the fingers, metacarpal bones;
• fracture of the shoulder - do not bypass the injury and shoulder, especially his neck. Most often they are characteristic of the elderly;
• Dislocation of the arm - for its recognition and differentiation with fractures, if conventional clinical research methods are not enough. X-rays reveal the non-adherence of the articular surfaces to each other, possible complications, obstacles to reduction and its result.

Not to do without X-rays and shoulder osteosynthesis - the introduction of metal structures to restore its anatomical integrity (using needles or plates). Radiography controls the healing of bone wounds.

[1]

Preparation

X-ray of hands does not require advance preparation. The only requirement is the absence of metal objects on them: rings, bracelets. In the presence of gypsum at the time of radiography, he is removed.

Pregnant women need to report this to the doctor, perhaps he will choose a method of research that is safer for the fetus, for example, MRI, which gives a clearer picture and does not use radiation.

Technique of the x-ray hands

The X-ray of each part of the arm requires its own technique; in each case, one or the other of its angles, its various projections: direct, lateral, oblique palmar and back need to be more informative.

X-ray of the hand

For its implementation, a person sits on a chair near the apparatus. At the same time, the arm is bent at the elbow, and the hand is located on the table; during the shooting, it should be completely immobilized. The rays are perpendicular to the brush to obtain a direct projection, so the bones of the wrist are visible.

Lateral projection is needed to identify bone displacements of the wrist, phalanges, and metacarpal bones. Get a picture using the cassette, which put the side palm, while the thumb is slightly retracted.

Oblique palmar is necessary to determine the state of the trapezius and scaphoid, bone-trapezoid. The picture is taken on a cassette, in relation to which the palm is raised by 45 ⁰.

Slanting back - allows you to view the first and fifth metacarpal, triangular, pea-shaped, hooked bones. The algorithm of this projection is similar to the previous one, only the palm is placed with the back side.

[2]

X-ray of the hand

When a finger is fractured on the arm, an X-ray helps to establish the nature of the damage, its localization, where bone fragments are displaced, if any. 2 nearest joints should be visible on the film, so the picture is taken in several projections and repeats the first 2 points of the X-ray of the hand.

After performing a surgical or conservative treatment for complex injuries, a control picture is taken, then repeated after 10-12 days, when the edema has passed, and also after the removal of the gypsum.

X-ray of forearm bones

The X-ray of the forearm requires, above all, its complete immobility, the slightest flinch can distort the picture. For completeness of the image, two perspectives are necessary: a straight and side projection, and a scapula with a clavicle is also captured in the field of view.

The procedure is carried out sitting sideways to the device. Exposed hand, forearm and shoulder. The arm bent at the elbow joint is placed on the table with the palm upwards to obtain a direct projection. Lateral get at the location of the palm edge to the surface.

Shoulder x-ray

For an x-ray of the shoulder, you need to strip to the waist. It is carried out in two projections lying on the table, if it is impossible for any reason to accept such a position, a picture is taken sitting or standing.

As a rule, adults only take a picture of the damaged shoulder, and children both sick and healthy to compare the development of bone tissue.

[3], [4], [5]

X-ray of the child's hand

X-rays of the hands of the child and pregnant women due to radiation are carried out only according to strict indications and very carefully, as well as avoid its frequent repetition.

Often, an endocrinologist prescribes an x-ray study for children, which is associated with growth retardation or growth. Radiography reveals the "bone" age and bone growth reserve.

To do this, take a picture of the hand and the lower third of the wrists, because the easiest way to remove the upper limbs. Comparing the data with the standards, identify the pathology that must be addressed before puberty.

X-ray hands at home

Modern medicine is able to provide X-rays at home for the elderly and patients with functional disorders. To do this, there is a portable device with which a snapshot of various organs, including the shoulder, forearm, and hand, is taken at home.

The pictures appear on the spot, printed, described and handed to the patient in their hands, and according to their results, the treatment is carried out by specialists.

Contraindications to the procedure

X-rays are undesirable during pregnancy, although the study of the hand does not affect the pelvic region, thus does not pose a great threat to the fetus.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Complications after the procedure

Each procedure of fluoroscopy faces a small dose of radiation, which, when certain rules are followed, will not entail negative consequences. To do this, you need to use the shielding of body parts that are not subject to research, use protection by time, that is, often do not resort to the procedure, but only on the testimony.

[10], [11], [12]

Reviews

According to reviews, the X-ray examination procedure does not cause any negative sensations, except for pain resulting from the trauma itself. Everyone understands that it needs to go through to cure and minimize the consequences.

[13], [14], [15]