X-Ray Elbow (AP / LAT View) Test

X-ray of an elbow is a painless test that is used to take a picture of a person's elbow. During the examination, an X-ray machine sends a beam of radiation through the elbow, and an image is recorded on special X-ray film or a computer. This image shows soft tissues and bones of the elbow, humerus, and the radius and ulna. The X-ray image is black and white. The lateral elbow view is part of the examining the distal humerus, proximal radius and ulna. The used to assess both the anterior humeral and the radiocapitellar line.

An elbow X-ray doesn't require special preparation. You may be asked to remove some clothing like scarves, jackets, jewellery, or metal objects that might interfere with the image. Patient is sitting next to the table at 90 degrees elbow flexion, the shoulder, elbow and wrist are kept in the same horizontal plane rotate the hand so the thumb points towards the ceiling, ensuring that complete arm from the wrist to the humerus are in the same plane.

It is used to diagnose the cause and symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or a deformity. It also helps to detect broken bones or a dislocated joint. Before a surgery, an X-ray may be taken to assess the condition. An X-ray is used to detect tumours’, cysts and other diseases in the bones, including bone infection.

Although the procedure may take about 15 minutes or longer, actual exposure to radiation is usually less than half a second. Your reproductive organs also will be protected with a lead shield. The technician or radiologist will position you, then step behind a wall or into an adjoining room to operate the machine. Generally 2 X-rays are done, one from the front and the other from the side. Keeping the arm still is important to prevent blurring of the X-ray image. After the X-rays are taken, you have to wait a few minutes while the images are processed. If the x-ray is unclear, then it may need to be done again.