X-rays

[ProfLiebstrom]

What exactly can x-rays of the knee show? Only thing I know of for my x-ray that they are specifically looking for are foreign bodies.

But what else can they deduce from them ?

[shadehawk]

They look for bone positioning, this can show degeneration, menscius (sp) tears, arthritis sometimes can be seen, and fractures show up on x-rays.

Many people have bad knee problems though and the doctor sees a good x-ray, it is just another tool they can use to rule out stuff.  

[ProfLiebstrom]

ahhhh thank you.

[brattkids2]

I had a huge foreign body in my knee larger than an American 50 cent piece that wasnt picked up on an x-ray!!

If you get an x-ray and still have problems dont be afraid to speak up to your OS. Mine was great and listened to my symptoms not the x-ray!!

Best of luck
Paulette

[ProfLiebstrom]

yeh it will only show up bone. and if its bone that has started to break off not just cartilidge im sure that is much worse!

I dont have an OS yet. After my GP has got the x-ray report she is definately referring me to the Specialist Orthopedics. Not just orthopedics from what I gathered. She just wants to see the x-ray report before though incase it does show something serious and she can just generally explain all my options.

And I have an X-ray tomorrow afternoon. GP is great. Went in this morning and already got one for the next day.

[AndrewC]

Hi

Ensure that your GP ONLY refers you to a KNEE SPECIALIST...... (someone who ONLY does knees!)

A general ortho just doesn't have the experience in specific or complex knee problems and can often leave the patient with More problems than before they had treatment! ....

[ProfLiebstrom]

yeh i think thats what she meant when she said specialist orthopedics

[ProfLiebstrom]

what should i expect in an x-ray report? will i get to see the x-rays and will i get a copy myself ?

[AndrewC]

yeh i think thats what she meant when she said specialist orthopedics

Beware as this does NOT necessarily mean a knee specialist. Often...this can be a person who does specialise in Orthopaedics but does a whole range of joints. Like Hips, Knees, Ankles and Shoulders!
I know this because I have met individuals who actually do all these joints.....
and you have heard the saying "jack of all trades master of none??".........

As for the xrays...depends what country you live in but here in the UK you have to actually ask to see the X rays and put a formal request in for a copy of the report (and pay!)

[ProfLiebstrom]

oh well bugger that then lol i will write it down when i get home!

[AndrewC]

Though you could of course make some notes as the surgeon reads through the report with you....or even ask to read it and copy it verbatim!!

[ProfLiebstrom]

Yeh I probably will write it down. OR better yet. Take my little MP3 player with a recorder on it !

See it intrests me this because at uni im planning on doing Radiography (going to go do some work shadowing at the radiography department hopefully to find out more) and after 2 years do a postgrad diploma in radiographic image interpretation so I will then be writing the x-ray reports out. Same as a radiologist.

[ProfLiebstrom]

All this talk about recording what it says.

Ends up saying everything is normal lol

[shadehawk]

Hey, not much can be seen on plain x-rays.  Does not mean that nothing is wrong with your knees.  Even MRI's are notorious for false readings. Think CT scans work pretty good, but it all depends on the experience of the radiologist who is operating the equipment.  

I was reading on a site the other day about positions to have patient in while doing certain x-rays for weight-bearing x-rays and guess what...........my x-rays were done wrong.  

You must insist that you see an OS who specializes in knees (that is what I am finding out) before they even seem to know what to look for.  Keep researching, asking questions etc.  

We really are all in the same boat and hopefully can help one another.............

[ProfLiebstrom]

Well like I said I have been referred to orthopaedics. It's general orthopaedics for now though. Although the pain is in the knee it can be caused because of a problem with the hip or other things so not a knee specialist yet.

However with the new NHS thing being rolled out. The choose and book. I found out there is a specialist knee consultant not far in Rotherham (Im in Sheffield, Rotherham is right next door. Litrally walk along one road and you cant tell where one begins and the other ends) So I will probably go to him if it is definately a knee problem. And I am notorious for not showing up problems well on x-rays anyway.

When I broke my arm I had 4 set's of wrist x-rays and 1 set of arm x-rays. First x-ray was a specific wrist x-ray which showed nothing but because of where the pain was I was sent to the fracture clinic. They did the same set of x-rays so this is now exactly 2 weeks after and that showed nothing but they stuck me in a cast just in case. 3rd week they did ANOTHER set of wrist x-rays and arm x-rays. This one actually showed a break that went vertically 1/4 way down my arm. 4th week was another wrist one because I was still getting pain in that one area where the break was but it wasnt showing on x-rays now. They knew it was broken but it wouldnt show. I have really dense bones apparently and my body has a tendancy to heal fast so it obscured all the images Same with my sister. She had knee pain too but they were convinced when they couldnt see anything that it was all in her head. Her knee then gave way and she was on crutches for over a year and is still having physio over 16 years later. Just worried that will happen to me is all.

[shadehawk]

I agree with you, you can have hip or foot problem and all the symptoms might show up in the knee.  That is why it is so important that you get a specialist that understands this.  Through research I have found one of the best things they can do for a person is a complete axial view, from hip to feet.  That was not offered to me either.

Hope that everything works out for you and you have better luck than I have had.  I do think that this experience has caused me to become a much more patient person, so if you look at it that way something possitive has come out of all this waiting.

Keep us posted on your progress.  

[ProfLiebstrom]

Well until the new NHS thing is sorted I cant choose to be treated for orthopaedics at another hospital out of my area.

The knee specialist has a shorter waiting list too lol than the general orthopaedics

[shadehawk]

Wow, that is a real bummer.  Sorry you keep hitting road blocks.  Let us know how you are doing!  I have been hitting a few of those myself, but you just have to keep thinking positive and that there will be a bright light at the end of all these darn old knee problems.

Good luck!