Name of the Procedure:

Radiologic Examination, Femur; 1 View
Common name: X-ray of the femur

Summary

An X-ray of the femur is a painless imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to produce a single image of the upper leg bone (the femur). This helps doctors diagnose conditions affecting the femur.

Purpose

The X-ray can help diagnose fractures, infections, or other abnormalities in the femur. It aids in determining the severity and specific location of an issue.

Indications

• Suspected fractures due to trauma
• Persistent lower extremity pain
• Swelling or deformities in the thigh
• Monitoring of healing progress in previously diagnosed femur conditions

Preparation

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing; you may need to change into a hospital gown.
• Remove any metallic objects such as jewelry, eyeglasses, or belts that could interfere with the image.
• No specific fasting or medication adjustments are typically required.

Procedure Description

1. The patient will be positioned on an X-ray table.
2. The radiologic technologist will place a lead apron over parts of the body not being imaged to protect them from radiation.
3. The X-ray machine will be positioned to capture an image of the femur.
4. The patient must remain still and may be asked to hold their breath momentarily while the image is taken.
5. Only one image is taken, so the process is quick and straightforward.

Duration

The procedure typically takes about 10-15 minutes, including preparation and positioning.

Setting

The procedure is performed in a radiology department of a hospital, an outpatient clinic, or a specialized imaging center.

Personnel

• Radiologic technologist (performs the X-ray)
• Radiologist (interprets the X-ray images)

Risks and Complications

• Minimal exposure to radiation; generally considered very safe.
• Rare risks include potential allergic reactions to materials used in rare cases of contrast studies (not common in standard femur X-rays).

Benefits

• Provides a clear image of the femur to aid in accurate diagnosis.
• Non-invasive and quick.
• Helps in planning appropriate treatment for fractures or other abnormalities.

Recovery

• No recovery time is needed post-procedure.
• Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

Alternatives

• MRI scans: Provide more detailed images of soft tissues but are more expensive and time-consuming.
• CT scans: Offer more detail and are useful if complex imaging is needed but involve higher radiation exposure.
• Ultrasound: Limited use for bone imaging but can be helpful in soft tissue evaluations around the femur.

Patient Experience

• The procedure is painless.
• Patients may feel slight discomfort from holding still or positioning, but this is brief.
• Pain management is typically not required.