X-rays

An X-ray is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a very short wavelength. While the radiation can pass through ‘lighter’ materials, such as tissues, it tends to be absorbed by denser objects, like bones. By placing a sensor on the other side of the body, an X-ray machine can record the radiation that passes through the tissues and use it to create an image of the bones inside the body.

While it’s true that some radiation is absorbed by the body during an X-ray scan (this is known as the “radiation dose”), the level of radiation is low and only lasts for a fraction of a second. As the NHS puts it: “Generally, the amount of radiation you’re exposed to during an X-ray is the equivalent to between a few days and a few years of exposure to natural radiation from the environment.”

In orthopaedics, X-rays are mostly used to diagnose and examine problems with the bones and joints. This includes things like:

• Bone damage – to assess breaks, fractures and dislocations
• Bone alignment – to examine the position of bones in the knee and leg
• Anomalies – to pick up abnormalities, such as bone spurs (osteophytes)
• Osteoarthritis – to detect and assess the extent of arthritis damage to bone endings

To get an X-ray, you’ll need a referral. This usually happens when you come in for an assessment. If Mr Bailey decides that you need an X-ray, he’ll complete a referral form. You can take the form to the hospital radiology department to make your booking right away. Alternatively, you can just leave it with us when you leave; we'll forward it to the radiologists, who will call you to arrange a date for your scan.

If you see us within normal office hours, it may be possible to have the scan shortly after your consultation. Just take your referral form to the hospital radiology department; depending on how busy things are, they may be able to book your X-ray within the next few hours (or even immediately). If you’re having an evening consultation, the Radiologists will get in touch with you to arrange a suitable date for your scan. It’s usually possible to have one within a week.

Yes. If you’ve had a recent X-ray via a GP or other medical professional, we can arrange for them to forward the images to us before your appointment with Mr Bailey. Just let us know when you contact us to book a consultation. It normally takes about two days for the images to reach us.

Your X-ray will be at one of our two clinic locations – either the Sarum Road Hospital in Winchester or the Nuffield Wessex Hospital in Chandler’s Ford, depending on which is most convenient for you. When you arrive, head to the main reception and look for Imaging and Radiology. At Sarum Road, it’s right alongside the main reception area. At the Wessex Hospital, turn left at the main reception and head to the next desk down.

We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes to your scan – either trousers that you can pull up above the knee, a pair of shorts, or a skirt or dress. If possible, avoid wearing clothes that have a metal zip or buttons, and make sure you remove any metal objects, such as coins and keys, from your pockets before the scan. If necessary, the team can give you a medical gown to wear for your X-ray.

You may be asked to sit, lie down, or stand against a flat surface for your X-ray: it depends which part of your leg we need to scan, and why you’re having the scan. The radiographer will direct the machine towards the part of your leg that needs to be X-rayed, then make sure you’re positioned correctly to get the best possible image. When you’re comfortable, they will move behind a screen to take the X-ray. To avoid blurring on the images, it’s important to stay still during the scan. Although you may need to set aside up to 30 minutes for your appointment, most scans only take a few minutes to perform. The X-ray itself usually takes less than a second.

It’s possible but check with your insurance provider first. When you come to the radiology department for your X-ray, please bring your insurance registration documents and a completed and signed claim form (or proof of pre-authorisation by your insurer). You can find more information about private medical insurance on the hospital websites: click here for Sarum Road and here for the Nuffield Wessex.

This varies. Results are usually available within a week of your scan. The radiologist will check them, contact you to say they’re ready, and make them available for Mr Bailey to review. If you’ve arranged to have your X-ray the same day as your consultation, however, we should be able to see the images almost immediately.