The first signs of an acute wrist injury are severe pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising. You may have broken your wrist, sprained your wrist, or just developed a minor injury that will go away with rest. Do not try to self-diagnose an injured wrist, because this type of joint injury should be medically evaluated and treated as quickly as possible. Ignoring it or treating it the wrong way can potentially cause permanent damage and disability to your wrist and hand.
The only way to get a definitive clinical diagnosis is to have it examined by a doctor or healthcare professional who can order an X-ray for your wrist injury. Let’s talk about what an X-ray can show, why it is the go-to technology for potential broken bones, and how X-rays have now been modified to expose patients to less radiation than before thanks to digital technology.
How an X-Ray Helps to Diagnose a Wrist Injury
Along with a physical examination of your wrist, your doctor may recommend that you have an X-ray taken in order to show what type of injury you’ve sustained. The X-ray is the most commonly used diagnostic imaging tool for a wrist injury, because it is quick and noninvasive.
If the X-ray does show a broken bone or a dislocation, the location and type of fracture will help your physician to determine the best course of treatment. Infections, cysts, tumors, and other diseases will also show in the results.
Digital X-ray Means Less Radiation and Instant Results
At Cornerstone Urgent Care, we use digital X-rays so that you are exposed to much less radiation as compared to traditional X-rays. This digital technology exposes the patient to about 80% less radiation than the older technology does.
Digital X-rays also do not require a film to be developed, so the results can be immediately shared with your primary care provider and other specialists. Within seconds, we can view the results onscreen and start treatment right away.
Wrist Injury Treatment in Rochester, New York
At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, we recommend digital X-rays to our patients who are experiencing wrist pain or other symptoms after an incident such as a fall or a sudden twisting motion of the wrist. For immediate medical attention and fast diagnostic results for your wrist injury, our urgent care diagnostic services are available in-house – so you will not be referred to another facility or have to make another trip for a medical scan.
We are an urgent care facility, which means that we take care of patients every day of the year – including holidays, because we know that health issues don’t take a vacation. Plus, you do not need to make an appointment, just walk right in.
If you have any questions, call Cornerstone Urgent Care Center today at (585) 207-0088 or send us a message using our secure online form. We are conveniently located at the intersection of Chili Avenue and Chestnut Ridge Road in Rochester. We look forward to seeing you.
