How Can Urgent Care X-Ray Services Help Diagnose Your Injury?
Urgent care x-ray services can play a crucial role in diagnosing injuries by providing visual evidence of bone fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains. X-rays are non-invasive and relatively quick, making them ideal for evaluating urgent medical concerns. Visit Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD, and his dedicated team at Elite Urgent Care for X-ray services if you have any injuries. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 6100 Dobbin Rd, Suite A, Columbia, MD 21045.


Table of Contents:
How accurate are X-rays in detecting fractures or bone injuries?
Can X-rays at urgent care diagnose soft tissue injuries?
How quickly can an X-ray determine the severity of my injury at urgent care?
What should I expect during an X-ray procedure at urgent care?
In each aspect of our patient care, precision and accuracy are our top priorities, including our use of X-rays for the detection of fractures and bone injuries. X-rays are a primary diagnostic tool in our practice, providing a detailed image of the bone structure to detect abnormalities or damage with a high level of accuracy, often reaching up to 90% or higher.
• Bone Density and Imaging Location: Our experienced radiologists understand that the density of the bone and the location of the suspected fracture can influence the X-ray’s clarity. Fractures in dense bones, such as the skull, vertebrae, or areas like the hip or spine, may present challenges in obtaining clear X-ray images due to the complex anatomy or overlying structures. Our team’s expertise allows us to navigate these considerations to obtain the best possible images.
• Fracture Type: The type of fracture can also affect its visibility on an X-ray. Simple fractures may be easily identifiable, while more complex or subtle fractures, such as stress fractures or hairline cracks, can be harder to visualize. Our goal is to deliver the most precise diagnosis possible, regardless of the fracture type.
• Image Quality: We place a high emphasis on the quality of our X-ray images. Factors such as proper exposure, positioning, and the use of appropriate contrast agents are expertly managed by our radiology team to enhance image clarity and improve fracture detection.
X-rays are highly accurate in detecting most fractures. With a sensitivity of approximately 95% for detecting displaced fractures, we can confidently identify the majority of these injuries. However, for more subtle fractures, such as hairline cracks or stress fractures, we maintain a sensitivity of around 70-80%.
While X-rays are primarily used for visualizing hard tissues, they can also give us indirect evidence of soft tissue injuries. For example, an X-ray might reveal signs of swelling or fluid accumulation around a joint, suggesting a possible soft tissue injury. Furthermore, X-rays can show indications of soft tissue damage surrounding a fractured bone.
However, we understand that X-rays alone may not be sufficient to confirm the nature and severity of soft tissue injuries. X-rays can’t always provide as detailed a view as other imaging methods. That’s why our medical professionals often use a combination of methods to diagnose soft tissue injuries effectively.
Part of our comprehensive diagnostic approach includes a physical examination, which allows us to assess range of motion, tenderness, and other clinical signs of soft tissue damage. Additionally, we employ more detailed imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), when necessary.
Sound waves are used in ultrasound to produce images of soft tissues, offering a detailed view of their structure and any potential abnormalities. MRI is a more advanced imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate highly detailed cross-sectional images of the body. This provides a comprehensive visualization of soft tissues and any injuries they may have incurred.
The duration it takes for an X-ray to determine injury severity can vary depending on the type of injury, our advanced equipment, and the expertise of our radiologists or technicians. Rest assured that our goal is to give you the results of the X-ray and a diagnosis within 30-60 minutes in most cases.
Our on-site X-ray equipment allows for prompt image acquisition and interpretation. Nevertheless, the interpretation process can take a few minutes for straightforward cases, while complex injuries may require more extensive review.
Factors such as the number of X-rays needed, the complexity of the injury, patient coordination, and wait times due to high patient volume can affect the interpretation time. Once our radiologist has assessed the X-rays, they provide a report to our urgent care physician, who will then discuss the results with you and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Whenever you visit Elite Urgent Care, you can trust that if an X-ray is necessary, it will deliver timely and useful information to support the direction of your treatment strategy. We encourage you to communicate any urgent concerns or discomfort to our staff to ensure timely evaluation and appropriate treatment. Our first concern is for your health and well-being.
When you come to Elite Urgent Care for an X-ray, our medical team will inquire regarding your past medical history and the reason for your visit. Information about any symptoms, previous surgeries, treatments, and prescription drugs is required to choose the best line of action and ensure your safety.
You will be asked to remove any metal objects or jewelry as they can interfere with the X-ray images.
You might be requested to change into a hospital gown to guarantee optimal imaging.
Our skilled radiologic technologists will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
A radiologic technologist will guide you to the X-ray room and position you on the X-ray table to best capture the area of concern. You can be instructed to sit, stand, or even lie down.
The X-ray machine will be operated by the technologist from behind a protective barrier to minimize radiation exposure.
The actual X-ray process is quick, taking only a few seconds to a few minutes, and is typically painless.
The technologist may ask you to wait while they assess the image quality. If more images are needed, you will be repositioned for further X-rays.
Once the images are satisfactory, you can change back into your clothes and await the doctor’s review.
The results of the X-ray examination will be interpreted by a radiologist and reported to our healthcare provider, who will discuss the findings with you and discuss the next steps or treatment options if necessary.
If you’re pregnant, suspect you could be, or have any concerns about radiation exposure, it’s important to inform our healthcare provider, as the radiation from X-rays can be harmful to a developing fetus.
At Elite Urgent Care, our goal is to provide accurate and timely diagnostics to ensure the best possible outcome for your health. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 6100 Dobbin Rd, Suite A, Columbia, MD 21045. We serve patients from Columbia MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Elkridge MD, Clarksville MD, Fulton MD, Jessup MD, and surrounding areas.