Information on Foot X-Ray View, Image and Anatomy

Submitted on March 27, 2012

Each foot on the human body contains an incredible 26 bones. This makes the foot very complicated to deal with when it comes to injury. The 26 different bones of the foot make the foot extremely flexible when one considers how much weight it has to bear and the forces that pass through the foot during walking, jogging and running.

The X-ray procedure is an imaging scan that is conducted, primarily to check the status of the bones in the body. X-ray radiation passes through body tissue and is received by a film or a sensor on the other end of the scanner. Bone mass is made up of calcium based tissue that is hard and strong. This tissue does not allow easy passage for X-rays. The shadow that these bones cast on the receptive surface is what is picked up. This is used to analyze the shape and location of the bones in the area of the body being scanned. Any damage in the form of a crack, fracture or dislocation is easily picked up using an X-ray scan.

Why Is a Foot X-Ray Conducted?

A foot X-ray is an X-ray conducted to check these various bones of the foot. Foot fractures are usually in the form of chip injuries or crack injuries. It is extremely rare and extremely dangerous for the health of the foot if a full break occurs in one of the bones. This type of injury often requires surgery to be properly rectified.

A foot X-ray is conducted in a clinic or hospital. A normal foot x-ray or a broken foot x-ray requires no preparation required from the patient; this is true for both a normal left foot x-ray and a normal right foot x-ray. A foot X-ray may not be possible if the foot is badly swollen up as a result of the injury. In this case, the foot X-ray has to be performed after medication has been given to reduce the swelling. A foot X-ray image needs to be of a fairly high resolution as the foot contains so many small bones in it. Generally speaking the foot X-ray views taken by the doctor will be from above the foot or below the foot. It takes about a minute to conduct a foot X-ray scan and generate the foot X-ray image.

Foot X-Ray Image and Anatomy

Depending on the nature of the foot X-ray image and the foot x-ray anatomy, the doctor will prescribe surgery or other forms of rehabilitation. Chip and crack fractures may heal automatically, as long as the foot is immobilized and properly padded. More serious fractures may need to be treated surgically.