How X-rays for Children Help Diagnose Bone Fractures and Injuries

A bone fracture requires prompt treatment to ensure it heals properly. Unfortunately, other injuries can cause the same pain, bruising, and other issues. Therefore, the only way Dr. Katie Dalton, Dr. Erin Grimes, or their associate can know it's a fracture and give immediate care is by using X-rays for children at Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care, serving Tulsa, OK, and the nearby region.

How an X-ray Works as a Diagnostic

 X-rays serve a few purposes in diagnosing an injury.

Detecting a Fracture and its Location and Severity 

If there is a potential fracture, X-rays for children in Tulsa, OK, can detect the presence of one. This imaging uses a low level of radiation to create an image of the internal structure. Bones are denser than surrounding tissue and absorb X-rays.

The nearby structures, such as soft tissue, will appear in shades of gray based on their density. A fracture may appear as a crack in a bone or a complete sever. The X-ray may even show the bone out of its proper position.

Looking at an image also allows a practitioner to determine the severity of a fracture. 

An X-ray provides enough details for a medical professional to determine the most effective treatment for the situation.

Ruling Out Fractures

 Let's say a child comes in with pain and bruising from an injury. The X-ray can rule out a broken bone, allowing a practitioner to investigate other potential causes.

Detecting Some Soft Tissue Issues 

A ligament or tendon injury may appear on an X-ray, though this doesn't always happen. In some cases, a different type of imaging may be necessary to examine the tendons and other tissue better.

Safety and Efficiency of X-rays 

X-rays are an efficient way to diagnose breaks in children's bones, though a very small number of fractures can go unrecognized on this type of imaging. We, however, use a high-quality machine to ensure we catch as many breaks as possible.

Though X-rays use radiation, only a low dose is emitted from the device. It's just enough to provide a high-resolution image but not enough to be dangerous. We can also use shielding to protect sensitive areas, like the reproductive system. In general, the radiation isn't enough to cause problems, especially when it's given only when needed.

Dr. Dalton, Dr. Grimes, and our nurse practitioner at Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care, serving Tulsa, OK, and the neighboring communities, use X-rays to diagnose bone fractures and other injuries in children.

See one of our providers today by calling 918-895-7808.