Understanding On-Site X-Rays: What to Expect During Your Visit

X-rays play a critical role in helping people recover from many types of injuries and illnesses without the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. Yet, if you have an upcoming X-ray visit, it’s natural to wonder what that visit will entail.

At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy, we offer on-site X-ray imaging using the most advanced techniques and equipment, supporting rapid diagnosis and faster treatment. Here, our expert team explains what X-rays do and what you can expect during your visit.

How X-rays work — and when they’re recommended

An X-ray is a type of electromagnetic energy, just like visible light and microwave energy, but its wavelengths are much shorter. In fact, X-rays are the second-shortest type of waves on the electromagnetic spectrum. 

X-rays are so short, they’re capable of passing through many types of substances, which is what makes them so good at “seeing” what’s under your skin. During this imaging exam, X-rays literally penetrate and pass through your skin — painlessly — and “reflect back” dark and light areas that show bones and other structures in detail.

Using X-rays, we can evaluate musculoskeletal injuries, like fractures and sprains, as well as problems involving your lungs, digestive system, heart, and other organs. In fact, X-rays provide a simple, effective way to evaluate a wide array of medical issues without the need for more invasive or complicated imaging.

When X-rays are recommended

Of course, X-rays aren’t always required or appropriate. Before we recommend an on-site X-ray, we perform other examinations and evaluations. 

Generally, we recommend X-rays when you have pain or other symptoms following an injury, like a fall, a workplace injury, or sports accident, if you have symptoms involving your lungs (like a persistent cough), or if you have pain or other mobility issues that haven’t resolved with TLC. We can also use them in other instances, depending on your symptoms and health history. 

What happens during an on-site X-ray?

The X-ray process itself is very quick and straightforward. And, because imaging is done right on site, there’s no need to make an appointment elsewhere or to drive to another location to get the care you need for your diagnosis and treatment.

The actual “prep” depends in part on which area of your body is being X-rayed. For many X-rays, we’ll ask you to remove your jewelry or any other metal. For chest X-rays or X-rays involving your legs, you’ll probably need to change into a gown first. 

Once in the imaging room, we position you near the X-ray machine to ensure  we get the clearest images possible. You’ll need to hold the position for a few moments while the actual image is taken. In most cases, we take images from different angles, each image taking just a few moments.

In addition to the time savings of an on-site X-ray, having images made right in our office means that, in most cases, you can wait for your results. Once we review your X-rays, we’ll discuss those results with you and map out your recommended treatment, all in the same visit.

We also send your X-rays to a radiologist, or a medical specialist trained to thoroughly evaluate diagnostic imaging results. If the radiologist discovers any additional concerns, we’ll contact you after your visit to provide you with an update.

Get answers without the extra trip

When you have an injury or other medical issue, getting answers quickly can help you get the treatment you need to begin healing as soon as possible. At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy, our state-of-the-art on-site X-rays services are just one more way we put your health needs first. 

To find out what’s causing your symptoms or schedule an X-ray for an injury, request an appointment or stop by your nearest clinics in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today.