How to prepare and what the x-rays of the lumbosacral spine?

X-rays of the lumbosacral spine is performed practically in all polyclinics of the country. Among the various diagnostic procedures, this method is considered to be one of the most simple and common.

Pain in the lumbosacral spinal

what is this type of research?

X-rays of the lumbar spine is a popular method of instrumental diagnosis. They are neurosurgeons, neurologists, surgeons, doctors, sports teams and other professionals. This x-ray allows you to see what changes occur in the tissues bones and joints. Developing neoplasms will also be visible. Various changes of the bones are often in a boundary region between the sacrum and the lower back, which will affect the radiograph. But such a study will allow to assess the condition of the ligaments and muscles.

This x-ray is Usually appointed in the following cases:

  • after spinal cord injury, to identify all the possible consequences;
  • if you suspect intervertebral hernia;
  • when the diagnosis of scoliosis;
  • in the presence of some diseases (rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis);
  • if you suspect tumors and possible metastases.

X-rays for the diagnosis of lumbar-sacral spine

The Study allows the physician to diagnose the disease, shows at what stage is the disease, helps to decide on the method of treatment.

Specific contraindications, the procedure has not. It is impossible to x-ray pregnant women. Patients under 14 years of age it can be done but with great caution and strictly on doctor. X-rays will not give good results in his patients with obesity. Pictures will be fuzzy and will not give the doctor any information.

Before going to the x-ray, the patient should prepare for the procedure.

How is x-ray?

As a result of this type of x-ray pictures the doctor is in 2 projections: lateral and frontal rear. If necessary to carry out even and oblique projection. When the machine works, the patient should remain motionless, because the slightest change in body position will affect the sharpness of the image.

Diagnostics of spinal hernia on x-raydirect Back projection is performed in the supine position, legs bent at the knees. If a person has a curve of the spinal column in the forward direction, for he lies on his stomach. Only then picture will show accurate information.

To receive the lateral projection, the patient is required to lie on your side with bent legs. The person having a wide bowl, special cushion placed under the rib cage on the side. To improve visibility, the doctor may ask the patient to lie on his side or get up.

For an x-ray in oblique projection must lie on your back. As directed by a physician a patient turns to the side at the desired angle. The position of the patient is fixed with a special roller.

The Radiologist begins the interpretation of the results immediately after the procedure. But the conclusion of the patient shows the doctor who directs him to the study.

the Treatment of the spine at the doctor

How often can conduct x-rays can only tell the radiologist. Everything depends on the severity of the disease, the dose of radiation received during an x-ray. Currently, many medical facilities are equipped with devices capable of regulating the dose of irradiation for a particular session. With their help it is possible to study more often.

It sometimes Happens that the patient is stationary. For such patients, there are outreach services that can perform the procedure at home. But they are not cheap, and usually the picture is of good quality.

How to prepare for the procedure?

radiography of the cervical spine requires no special training.

And before the diagnosis of lumbosacral spinal column the person has to comply with several conditions.

This is to ensure that the pictures turned out to be the most reliable.

the Use of activated charcoal in preparation for x-ray

Preparation should begin several days before the visit of the x-ray room. About how to do it, tell the doctor that gives direction to the study. These measures are not the most pleasant, but they will definitely contribute to the x-ray came out clear and informative. In this case the patient will not have a second time to go to the procedure.

Preparation is as follows:

  1. the Patient 3 days before the procedure you must exclude from your diet food that increases the level of gas in the digestive tract. These products include white bread, potato dishes,beans, cabbage, milk products. If a person there is a constant bloating, it is necessary these days to take activated charcoal.
  2. In the same period, the patient is recommended to take a tincture of Valerian root. The dose should be within 20 drops in the morning, afternoon and evening.
  3. Directly in front of the x-ray is not. The last meal should be no later than the evening before 19 hours. On this day you cannot drink the liquid. Smokers need to quit using tobacco.

In Addition, the night before x-ray is needed enema. If this is not possible, you may use a laxative. You take it in the evening too. Possible enema can be done in the morning hours on the day of the procedure.

Perhaps the patient has a question about why do we need such preparation. The answer is very simple. If the bowel is filled with feces and gases, a clear shot impossible. And the picture of poor quality will not help the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. Sedatives necessary to ensure that the patient was not nervous. For x-ray you need a calm state so that people did not move. It is necessary to obtain high quality results in a single procedure. Otherwise the patient will prescribe repeated study, and this extra exposure.

Radiography is not the only possible method of diagnosis of the spine. Currently in use and newer methods: MRI, myelography, etc.