X-Ray – The Foundation of Orthopaedic Imaging
June 19, 2025
X-Ray – The Foundation of Orthopaedic Imaging
As we highlight our imaging services, let’s talk about the foundational diagnostic tool in orthopaedics: the X-ray. While often overshadowed by more advanced imaging, the X-ray remains an indispensable part of how we diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
What is an X-ray?
An X-ray is a quick, painless, and non-invasive imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to create pictures of the inside of your body. When X-rays pass through your body, different tissues absorb varying amounts of radiation. Dense materials like bone appear white on the image, while soft tissues like muscles and fat appear gray, and air appears black.
What Does an X-ray See?
X-rays are primarily used to visualize:
- Bones: Fractures (breaks), dislocations, bone spurs, and changes related to arthritis.
- Joints: Alignment of bones within a joint and signs of joint degeneration.
- Spine: Spinal alignment, fractures, and disc space narrowing.
- Certain Foreign Objects: Identifying objects that may have entered the body.
While X-rays are excellent for bones, they don’t provide detailed images of soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, tendons, or cartilage. For those structures, our physicians often rely on other imaging methods like MRI.
When Would an X-ray Be Used?
Your Orthopaedic Associates physician will frequently order an X-ray for various reasons, including:
- Diagnosing bone fractures or dislocations
- Monitoring the healing of a broken bone
- Identifying and assessing arthritis
- Evaluating joint pain or swelling
- Checking for bone infections or tumors
- Screening for scoliosis or other spinal deformities
Convenient X-Ray Services at Both Our Duluth and Hibbing Offices
At Orthopaedic Associates, we understand that convenience is key to your care. That’s why we offer on-site X-ray services at both our Duluth and Hibbing offices. This means that when you come in for an appointment with one of our orthopaedic specialists, you can often get the necessary X-rays taken right then and there.
This eliminates the need for an additional trip to a separate facility, saving you time and streamlining your diagnostic process. Our skilled technologists are ready to provide quick and efficient X-ray imaging, giving your physician the immediate information they need to discuss your condition and next steps with you.
We are committed to providing comprehensive, convenient, and high-quality orthopaedic care, and our readily available X-ray services are a testament to that commitment.