A Knee X-ray is one reliable way to detect the underlying cause of swelling, pain, tenderness, and other joint issues. The report shows a clear picture of the bones and soft tissues. Based on the X-ray, a knee specialist doctor in Mumbai will either create a treatment plan or order further tests for a more accurate diagnosis.
The question is, how do they interpret whether the reports are normal or not? In this post, we’ll take a look at normal vs abnormal knee x-rays.
What is a Normal Knee X-Ray?
An X-ray is a painless imaging test that collects a detailed image of your knee joint, joint space, bone alignment, and injuries. It mainly targets the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella. A normal knee X-ray shows everything properly aligned and no signs of bone fracture, sprains, or other injuries. For a knee x-ray to be considered normal, it must meet these requirements:
- The bone ends must be smooth, with no signs of bone overgrowth, spikes, or injuries.
- There should be a clear joint space between your bones and the cartilage.
- Bones must be well aligned
- There shouldn’t be any cracks or tears in the bones
- The bone must show a normal density, i.e., it must not be too dark or too white
Common Abnormalities
If you have recently sustained a knee injury or experience extreme pain in the knee with a limited range of motion, your doctor will examine your x-ray for these issues:
- Narrowed Joint Space: The cartilage that is supposed to support the joints might wear down with age or due to joint overuse. When this happens, the space between the cartilage and bone narrows, bringing the bones closer together. This can cause pain during movement.
- Fractures: X-rays can detect fractures ranging from hairline fractures to more complex ones that break the bone into multiple pieces.
- Joint Dislocation: If the bones look tilted or misaligned, they must be dislocated. For example, the patella that’s supposed to be in front of the knee joint can appear slightly shifted.
- Infection or Tumor: Abnormal bone growth or cysts can indicate infection or a tumor, which might require further evaluation.
In addition, swelling in the soft tissues or fluid buildup around the joint might appear on the X-ray.
When to Seek Advanced Imaging
X-ray is the first step in diagnosing common knee issues. However, for more complex problems involving tendons, ligaments, soft tissues, and cartilage, further imaging tests might be recommended. This mainly includes an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or bone biopsy (if the doctor suspects a severe infection or a tumor). Here’s when further testing is recommended:
- Severe knee pain without an obvious cause
- Fluid buildup in the knee
- Suspected fractures that aren’t clearly visible on X-ray
- Unusual bone changes
Conclusion
If you experience any symptoms listed above or anything unusual, head to the orthopedic doctor for a knee X-ray diagnosis and treatment in Mumbai. Severe knee pain, swelling, difficulty moving, reduced flexibility, and discomfort around the knee joint are some common symptoms that require a visit to an orthopedic doctor.
