X-ray
The quickest look at bone and chest there is. No tunnel, no ring, nothing to lie inside — you stand or lie against a plate for a few seconds at a time, and you're done.
What an X-ray shows
X-rays pass through soft tissue and are absorbed by dense structures, which is why bone shows up so clearly. It's the first imaging most people get after an injury, and often the only one they need.
- Fractures
- Chest
- Spine alignment
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Hand & wrist
- Foot & ankle
- Arthritis assessment
- Post-operative follow-up
What to expect
A technologist positions the body part being imaged against a detector plate, steps behind a shield, and takes the exposure. Each image takes a fraction of a second, and you'll usually need two or three views from different angles.
You'll be asked to hold still, and for chest images to take a breath and hold it. That's the whole procedure. Most appointments are 10 to 15 minutes door to door, and the scanning part is a small fraction of that.
Already have an order? X-ray is often the easiest exam to fit in at short notice. Call (832) 982-0845 and ask about same-day availability — once we have the order on file it's frequently possible.
How to prepare
There's essentially nothing to do. No fasting, no medication changes, no IV.
- Wear something comfortable without metal near the area being imaged.
- Remove jewelry, watches and piercings in that area — we'll tell you what needs to come off.
- You'll often stay in your own clothes; we'll provide a gown if it's simpler.
- Bring photo ID, your insurance card, and your order if you have a paper copy.
Tell us if you are pregnant or might be before any X-ray is taken. Your doctor may want to delay the exam, shield you, or choose a different test.
About the radiation
A plain X-ray delivers the smallest radiation dose of any imaging we perform — considerably less than a CT. We use the lowest exposure that produces a diagnostic image, and shield areas that don't need to be imaged. If you have concerns, raise them before the exam and we'll talk them through.
Afterwards
You leave immediately and there are no after-effects or restrictions. A radiologist reads the images and sends the report to the doctor who ordered them.
Need an X-ray?
Call with your order and we'll get you in — often the same day.