Many people of all ages may experience hip disease, leading to impaired walking and support function. Such a pathological condition greatly affects the quality of life of a person and often leads to disability.
To identify diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the doctor may prescribe an X-ray of the hip joint, which is a radiation diagnostic that allows you to get a negative image of the affected area on the light-sensitive layer of a special film. Thanks to a modern device, it becomes possible to get the clearest image both on a digital medium and on a monitor.
Advantages and disadvantages
X-ray of the hip joint, like any other diagnostic method, has certain advantages. These include simplicity and accessibility, as well as the low cost of the procedure. In some cases, such an examination can be carried out free of charge. If on handthere will be an x-ray, you can seek advice from any specialist, and the doctor will monitor the dynamics of the disease during the re-examination.
X-ray has its drawbacks:
- exposure to the body of X-ray radiation, albeit in small doses;
- inability to fully assess joint function;
- the area under examination often overlaps with surrounding tissue, causing images to overlap;
- without special contrasting it is not possible to assess the condition of soft tissues;
- a bit of information.
Indications and contraindications
If the hip joint hurts, x-rays are taken to determine the cause of this. Such a study is considered mandatory for many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. X-rays reveal changes in the hip joint, which can be caused by the following reasons:
- injuries (dislocations, fractures);
- degenerative pathology (cystic restructuring, osteoarthritis, aseptic necrosis);
- bone tumors, metastases;
- inflammatory diseases (osteomyelitis, arthritis);
- congenital anomalies (hypoplasia, dysplasia);
- metabolic diseases (gout, osteoporosis).
An absolute contraindication for such an examination is pregnancy at any time, as well as diseases of the thyroid gland, kidneys,hearts. Unless there is a good reason, it is best not to take X-rays on children under 14 years of age. If such a procedure is performed using a contrast agent, then the list of contraindications will be much wider. It includes the following states of the body:
- severe pathological condition of the liver and kidneys;
- tuberculosis in active phase;
- allergic to substances containing iodine;
- heart failure;
- heavy condition of the patient.
Taking x-rays
If the hip joint is bothering, an x-ray of the affected area is mandatory. This procedure is distinguished by its relative simplicity. After the patient receives a referral for an examination, he must properly prepare for it so that the result is of the highest quality.
Preparation
If an x-ray of the hip joint is to be taken, usually no special preparation is required, but there are still some points worth paying attention to.
Because the area under study is close enough to the intestine, its contents can affect the quality of the picture. This is especially true for the process of gas formation. To remove the contents of the intestine, it is recommended to conduct a cleansing enema on the eve of the study in the evening and the next morning. You can also drink any laxative before the procedure.
If the x-ray will be carried out with a contrast agent, then a test should be carried out in advance on it fordefinition of an allergic reaction. The procedure is started with a negative result.
Features
Before the procedure, the patient removes tight clothing, all jewelry and metal objects, because they will interfere with the pictures. To examine the hip joint, x-rays are performed in several projections. Protective lead plates are put on the patient before the examination.
To take a picture of the pelvic region, the device sends a beam of rays passing through the hip joint. At this time, the radiation begins to scatter and stops, and the degree of such scattering depends on the density of the examined tissue. In this case, an image of the organs and tissues through which the radiation has already passed begins to appear on the film. The photo clearly shows the bone, which has a maximum density. A doctor-radiologist using an x-ray placed on a luminous screen can give an assessment of the internal structure of the joint.
The study of such a site is usually carried out:
- front with legs apart;
- Side with outstretched legs.
If an x-ray of the hip joint is taken, the norm is when a photo is taken in both projections. This allows you to establish the most accurate diagnosis. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes, while the patient receives a radiation dose of 1.5 millisieverts.
X-ray interpretation
Radiography may have certain errors. This isis due to the fact that the x-rays sent out by the cathode ray tube diverge. If the subject of study is not in the middle, but on the edge of the image field, the image can be slightly lengthened. In this case, the dimensions of the examined joints are also modified.
The accuracy of the diagnosis largely depends on how qualified the laboratory assistant is. Each disease has its own characteristic features that are revealed in the pictures:
- fractures - bone fragments are visible;
- dislocations - you can see the displacement of the articular surfaces;
- osteoarthritis - narrowing of the joint space, osteophytes;
- aseptic necrosis - bone regeneration, foci of osteosclerosis;
- osteoporosis - thinned structure, reduced bone density are clearly visible;
- dysplasia - incomplete or abnormal development of the femoral head along with the articular cavity is found;
- tumors - blackout foci, volumetric formations.
Child X-rays
X-ray of the hip joints in children is carried out only strictly according to the doctor's indications, since such a procedure is considered harmful and in the future hematological pathologies may develop or a change in the oncological profile will occur. Therefore, it is extremely important to find a good specialist who will prescribe a study with the smallest dosage of radiation, as a result of which the harmful effect on the small patient will be minimal.
X-ray of the hip joint in the baby is better not to do. The doctor usually prescribes an ultrasound examination for children who are not yet a year old for these purposes. Since in infants up to three months the muscles are still atrophied, it is difficult to diagnose a pathology such as hip dysplasia. An x-ray will not help in this case. It is advisable to carry it out when the cartilage is filled with calcium and turns into bone tissue.
Conclusion
Thus, if the hip joint is damaged, x-rays are mandatory to establish the exact cause of the disease. Since such a procedure is not considered safe, it should be done no more than once every six months. If it becomes necessary to perform it on young children, then the doctor must minimize the possible harm from radiation.
