Joint and limb X-ray
An X-ray is the fastest way to look at bones and joints. It shows fractures and cracks, dislocations, arthritis, deformities, bone spurs and changes in bone density. At Oberig Clinic we X-ray one body area at a time in the X-ray room of the Diagnostic Department: knee, foot, hips, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist or ankle. The image is ready in minutes. The radiologist's report comes within 24 hours.
Most people come to us after a fall, a sports injury or a twisted ankle, or with joint pain that has dragged on for weeks and keeps them from walking, climbing stairs or sleeping on that side. The knee is the most common request. It carries the most load and is the first to react to weight, sport and age. The approach is the same for any joint, though. Same room, same radiologists, same 24-hour report.
What an X-ray shows and when you need one
X-rays see bone well. Soft tissue, poorly. The image shows the joint space, the shape of joint surfaces, osteophytes (bony spurs at the edges), bone cysts, osteoporosis, foreign bodies and the position of fragments after a fracture. Cartilage, menisci, ligaments and tendons don't show up. For those you need ultrasound or MRI.
Your doctor orders an X-ray for an injury with pain and swelling, joint pain lasting more than 2-3 weeks, morning stiffness, painful clicking, deformed toes or fingers, or limited movement. X-rays also track healing: how a fracture knits, whether an implant stays in place, how arthritis progresses. You can start with an orthopedic consultation. The orthopedist decides which area to image and in which views.
If the pain comes from soft tissue, like a sprained ligament or fluid in the joint, the doctor often adds a joint ultrasound. Together the two give the full picture in one visit.
An X-ray is the first step for almost any joint problem. It is quick and affordable. And it answers the key question: is the bone intact, and is there arthritis? CT is for complex fractures, fractures through the joint surface, or surgical planning. MRI is for a suspected meniscus or ligament tear, cartilage damage or bone marrow swelling.
Doctors usually start with an X-ray. If it is clear and the pain stays, the next step is ultrasound or MRI. All of these are done in one department, and the radiologist sees your earlier results.
Knee X-ray: normal and arthritis
The knee is imaged in two views, front and side. If arthritis is suspected, the X-ray is taken standing. Only under body weight do you see the real joint space. Without a standing view the report can look too good.
A normal knee looks like this: an even joint space on both sides, smooth bone outlines with no spurs, a centered kneecap, uniform bone. Small changes with age are common and need no treatment if you have no symptoms.
Knee arthritis is graded on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. The radiologist states the grade. Your orthopedist decides what to do about it.
| Grade | What the X-ray shows |
|---|---|
| 0 | no changes |
| I | doubtful narrowing, possible small spurs |
| II | clear spurs, joint space may be narrowed |
| III | moderate narrowing, multiple spurs, denser bone under the cartilage |
| IV | severe narrowing, large spurs, bone deformity |
The grade on the image doesn't always match the pain. Some people with grade II hurt a lot. Others with grade III walk without trouble. That's why the report is read together with an exam. Doctors treat the person, not the picture.
Foot X-ray: normal and flat feet
The foot is imaged for injuries, pain in the toes or heel, a bunion (hallux valgus) or suspected flat feet. For an injury, two views lying down are usually enough. For flat feet the X-ray is taken standing, with weight on the foot, from the side. It shows how far the arch drops under your body weight.
The report gives the angle and height of the longitudinal arch. As a guide, an angle of about 125-130 degrees is normal. A larger angle points to flat feet. For a bunion, the doctor measures the angle between the first metatarsal and the big toe. Your orthopedist decides what is normal for you. Children and adults differ, because the arch forms by age 6-7.
A stress crack in a metatarsal after long walks or running may not show in the first days. Pain doesn't go away? The X-ray is repeated in 10-14 days, when new bone starts to form.
Hips and hip dysplasia
Hips are usually imaged with one pelvic X-ray that shows both joints. This lets the doctor compare sides. It shows arthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, old injuries and the position of a hip replacement.
For dysplasia, children get an X-ray after 3-4 months, once bone centers appear in the femoral head. Before that, a hip ultrasound by the Graf method is more useful. It has no radiation and shows cartilage. In adults, dysplasia shows up on X-ray as a shallow socket and early arthritis.
To assess arthritis, adults stand for the X-ray. Children lie down with their legs positioned correctly. The technician will show you how.
Ankle, hand, shoulder and elbow
Ankles are most often hurt by rolling the foot. Two views show fractures of the ankle bones and the talus. Normally the gap between bones is even, and the joint fork that holds the talus is symmetrical. Old fractures and repeated sprains can lead to ankle arthritis. The X-ray shows that too.
A hand X-ray is ordered for injuries, painful swollen finger joints, suspected rheumatoid arthritis or gout. A normal hand shows even finger joint spaces and smooth bone outlines with no erosions or cysts. In children a hand X-ray is used to check bone age. After a fall on an outstretched hand the wrist is imaged to catch a typical radius fracture or a scaphoid injury. That one is easy to miss.
A ganglion cyst on the hand barely shows on X-ray, since it is soft and filled with fluid. The X-ray rules out bone changes nearby. The cyst itself is seen on ultrasound.
Shoulders and elbows are imaged after injuries, for pain, limited movement and suspected calcium in tendons. For shoulder arthritis two views are standard, sometimes with an extra axial view to spot a dislocation. Bursitis shows only indirectly, for example as calcium deposits. The bursa and tendons are seen on ultrasound. An elbow after a fall always needs an X-ray, especially in children.
After an injury: don't put it off
Not every bruise needs an X-ray. But some signs mean you should get one the same day instead of waiting:
- you can't stand on the leg or take a few steps
- pain when pressing one specific spot on the bone, not the whole area
- a joint or finger has changed shape, with a step or shortening
- swelling and bruising grow fast, and movement is very limited
- an injury in a person with osteoporosis or in a child who can't say where it hurts
If it is serious, call the clinic's emergency service at 3003. It works around the clock for adults and children.
After a fracture is set and casted, the first check is usually done in 7-10 days to make sure the fragments haven't moved. Next X-rays come before the cast is removed and, if needed, a few weeks later. Your trauma surgeon sets the schedule based on the bone and fracture type. Do follow-ups in one clinic. Then the doctor compares images taken in the same views. Any shift in the fragments is easy to spot, even a millimeter or two, because the angle and distance of the beam are the same every time.
An X-ray through a cast still works. The image is a little less sharp, but fragments and healing bone are clearly visible. There is no need to remove the cast just for the picture. Ask.
Preparation and how it goes
No prep needed. You can eat. Take off jewelry, watches and clothes with metal parts from the area. Always mention pregnancy before the X-ray. Bring earlier images and reports. Comparison matters.
The technician positions your limb and covers the rest of your body with a lead apron. Hold still for a few seconds. That's it. One view takes about a minute, the whole visit 5-10 minutes. It doesn't hurt.
Frequently asked questions
Is a joint X-ray harmful?
The dose for a limb is tiny, close to what you get from natural background in a day. A pelvic X-ray gives more, but one or two images are safe.
Why two views?
One image shows the bone from one side only. A crack or a shifted fragment may show only in the second view.
Can children have X-rays?
Yes, when there is a reason. For babies, ultrasound comes first. X-rays are used when ultrasound can't answer the question.
When is MRI better?
When the doctor needs to see menisci, ligaments, cartilage or bone swelling. X-rays don't show them.
Do I need a referral?
It helps. The referral tells the technician which area to image, which views to take and if you need to stand. Standing matters a lot for knees, hips and feet. Without it, we may need to ask your doctor first.
When is the report ready?
You see the image right away. The radiologist's written report is ready within 24 hours, except weekends and public holidays.
Price at Oberig Clinic
The price depends on the number of views, not on the joint. A foot X-ray costs the same as a hand or elbow. A knee X-ray is UAH 1,605 for two views, since the knee is almost always imaged from the front and side. Hips are one area if both joints fit on a pelvic image. A hand X-ray is UAH 1,295 for one view or UAH 1,605 for two.
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| X-ray of one body area, one view | UAH 1,295 |
| X-ray of one body area, two views | UAH 1,605 |
| Orthopedic trauma consultation | UAH 1,670 |
| Pediatric orthopedic trauma consultation | UAH 1,670 |
Prices follow the clinic price list as of 18.10.2026. They may change, so please check the current price with our contact center.
Why choose Oberig Clinic
- The X-ray room of the Diagnostic Department, a Siemens reference center working by American College of Radiology protocols.
- Radiologists of the department, headed by Taras Matsiievskyi, read every image. Report within 24 hours.
- X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI of joints in one place. No need to look for another clinic if you need more tests.
- Orthopedic surgeons for adults and children, rheumatologists and surgeons work here and go through the images with you.
Get your foot, knee or any other joint X-rayed on a day that suits you. Address: 3 Zoolohichna St., buildings G and V, Kyiv. Book online at https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03.
Joint and limb X-ray?
