What Is Knee X-ray Examination?

• Examination done by a radiographer on the knee joint.
• It’s not painful.
• The knee X-ray examination includes parts of knee bone, together with the thigh bone (the bone above knee), tibia and fibula (the bones below knee), patella (knee cap) and soft tissues.

Picture 1: Illustration shows one of the positioning technique for knee X-ray.

Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/xray_knee.html#

How And Where Can I Get This Examination?

• When you visit your doctor, he/she will decide if you require the examination.
• If required, the doctor will make a request for the examination using the Radiology Examination Request Form.
• This examination is available in MoH hospitals and health clinics with diagnostic imaging service.

When Is Knee X-ray Required?

• Knee X-ray examination helps to find the causes and signs of pain, swelling, sprain, or abnormalities of the knee. It can also detect fracture of bones and dislocation of the joints.
• In a knee surgery, knee X-ray will be taken before the surgery for planning the surgery and also after surgery for checking.

Before the knee X-ray examination

• You are advised not to bring or wear any valuables.
• Children can be accompanied by an adult family member.
• Make sure you are not pregnant or suspected to be pregnant. Please inform the radiographer if you are pregnant or suspected to be pregnant.
• You will be briefed about the procedure.
• You may need to change into hospital attire.

During the examination

• Two basic projections usually done are:

– Anteroposterior (AP) – to visualize the knee joint and the front part.

– Lateral (X-ray done from the side of the knee joint).

• Usually the examination is done by lying down or standing.
• Radiation protection device will be provided during examination.
• This examination takes approximately 10 minutes only.
• Additional projections will be done if required.

After examination

You will be allowed to leave after the examination.

Picture 2: Example of a normal knee X-ray image.

Source: http://orthoanswer.org/foot-ankle/fracture-foot-ankle/investigations.html

Examination Report

• All images produced will be reviewed by radiologist and report will be prepared.
• Examination result will be sent to the doctor seeing you.

References

1. http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/xray_knee.html#
2. http://www.footvitals.com/injuries/foot-xray.html
3. http://radiology-anatomy.blogspot.com/2013/04/knee-joint-x-ray-anatomy.html
4. http://orthoanswer.org/foot-ankle/fracture-foot-ankle/investigations.html