Radiography: A Review for the Rehabilitation Professional

In the normal course of practice, rehabilitation professionals are not typically provided with x-rays or radiology reports. Hand therapists who obtain x-rays or reports will glean valuable information about the patient that might otherwise go unidentified. Unique details discovered from an x-ray can contribute to improved clinical treatment plans and functional outcomes. Radiography is the general term used to describe the commonly known imaging procedures of x-ray and fluoroscopy. The purposes of this article are to provide the reader with an overview of basic radiography terminology and provide information to help better understand the typical positions and views used in upper extremity radiography. With this knowledge, guidelines for reviewing x-rays will be presented and several examples of bony pathology revealed by x-rays will be presented along with several case studies.