X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View

Also known as X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint - Antero Posterior & Lateral Views

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Depending on the area to be imaged, you may be asked to wear a hospital gown at the time of the scan.
You may have to remove your jewelry and any metal objects which might interfere with the image.
Pregnant women should inform their doctor (and x-ray technician) as the radiations may affect the fetus. If needed, precautions can be taken to lower the radiation exposure to the fetus.

Understanding X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View

What is X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View?

This is a safe and painless method to visualize the shoulder using a small amount of radiation. The area of the shoulder includes the shoulder joint, the collar bone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), bone of the upper arm (head of humerus) and the soft tissues (skin and muscles) surrounding it. It is recommended in case of symptoms such as pain, tenderness or swelling in the shoulder.

This method is used to detect any fractures, infection, abnormal growth, dislocation of the joints or a frozen shoulder. It can also be used as a guide for a surgery as well as a procedure to monitor the healing process post surgery.

This imaging technique can diagnose tumors, osteoporosis, deformities of bones, glenohumeral instability and cysts.

For AP(antero - posterior) and LAT (lateral) views X-ray beam is placed in front and sideways to the patient body respectively.

Pregnant women should inform the physician about their condition as the radiations might affect the fetus.

What is X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View used for?

To diagnose any fracture of the bones that form the shoulder joint and to monitor the healing of the broken bone, after it has been set.
To detect any infection, osteoporosis, deformities or abnormal growth of the bones.
To diagnose any suspected shoulder dislocation, frozen shoulder, and arthritis of this joint.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View

Frequently Asked Questions about X - Ray Left Shoulder Joint AP & LAT View

Q. What are the drawbacks of a bone X-ray?

X-ray images give a very clear view of the bones. However, it does not provide a good visual image of the soft tissues like tendons, muscles or fat tissue under the skin. Even the bone microfractures or complicated spine injuries are not clearly visible on the X Ray images. Apart from this, it also exposes the patient to some amount of radiations but the benefit of the information gained from an X-ray image outweighs the risk of radiations.

Q. Who interprets the X-ray results?

The interpretation of an X-Ray image is carried out by a radiologist who analyses or reads the X-ray image and prepares a report of the findings which is shared with the patient.