Urgent Care X-Ray Clinic in Alexandria and Ruther Glen, VA

An X-ray is a type of medical body imaging that is used to give your primary care physician more insight into the inner workings of your body, including bone and tissue structures.
 
This safe and painless test utilizes concentrated radiation in combination with a digital monitor to produce pictures of the different internal structures within the body. A contrast dye may be used to enhance the visibility of bones, organs, and tissues; however, this isn’t always required and is at the discretion of your doctor.
 
To protect your body from radiation, you will always be required to wear a leaded protective vest during this procedure.
 
By analyzing the images produced by your x-ray, your physician can diagnose various injuries, diseases, and ailments. The more information they have, the more accurate and comprehensive of a treatment plan they’ll be able to provide you. 

A digital X-ray has many common uses, including providing your healthcare provider with the internal imaging necessary to evaluate and address certain ailments you’re experiencing. In addition to this, x-rays are used to:
 
● Examine bone, organ, and tissue structures.
● Confirm broken bones or fractures.
● Pinpoint the cause of unexplained physiological symptoms.
● Pinpoint the location of foreign objects in the body.
● Locate structural issues.
● Support a comprehensive treatment plan.
● Restructure current treatment plans, where necessary.
● Provide routine screenings.
 
While X-rays are a safe procedure for most, they can pose a risk to fetuses. Therefore, it’s important to inform your doctor if you are or may be pregnant. In these cases, they will likely prescribe you a different method of imaging that won’t potentially impact your baby.

X-rays utilize a specific and safe amount of concentrated radiation to create detailed pictures of the internal structures of your body. To protect your body from radiation, you will always be required to wear a leaded protective vest during this procedure.
 
Solid objects, such as bones, will show up as being bright white in these pictures. In contrast, soft tissues such as your organs, will appear in grayscale. A contrast dye may be used to enhance the visibility of bones, organs, and tissues; however, this isn’t always required and is at the discretion of your doctor.
 
These images are transcribed to a nearby monitor where they can be interpreted by your physician or designated specialist. 

An x-ray doesn’t take very long with imaging only taking a few seconds. However, you may need multiple X-rays taken from different angles and positions for the best and most comprehensive imaging. On average, you can expect to need 2-6 pictures depending on the area being imaged and how many areas need to be looked at.
 
However, even if multiple images are being taken, your appointment should only last between 10-20 minutes.
 
Your X-ray results will typically be delivered to your doctor within one to two days. However, in an emergency situation, it may take anywhere from minutes to a few hours.
 
If you require immediate, professional X-ray imaging, come visit us at PACS Urgent Care. We offer the diagnostic services that you need coupled with the highest level of medical care. Contact us today for any questions that you may have or, when ready, you can walk in for a same-day appointment to get started. We have convenient locations in Alexandria, VA, and  Ruther Glen VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Arlington VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Doswell VA, and surrounding areas.