Standard X-ray of the upper limb: collarbone, shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand
Upper Limb X-Ray (Shoulder, Arm, Elbow, Wrist, Hand) in Casablanca
This X-ray examines the bones and joints of the upper limb, from the collarbone to the fingers. It is often requested after a fall. Quick and painless, it clearly shows bone, but much less the tendons and ligaments. Depending on the area, several views are taken from different angles, so as not to miss a fine fracture. If a shoulder tendon or a wrist ligament is involved, ultrasound or MRI provides additional information.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
Usually 5 to 15 minutes.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
Carestream
Reading aid
The center uses Gleamer, artificial intelligence software that helps the radiologist read X-rays. Interpretation and the report are still done by the radiologist.
When is this exam needed?
- Fall on the hand or elbow.
- Shoulder pain, looking for calcifications.
- Dislocation of the shoulder or a finger.
- Rheumatic disease of the hands.
- Checking a fracture treated with a cast or surgery.
- Looking for osteoarthritis of the shoulder, elbow or base of the thumb.
How the exam is done
On arrival, the radiographer checks the side and the joint to be X-rayed. You remove your watch, rings and bracelets, and uncover your shoulder if it is involved. If your arm is held in a sling or a cast, let the radiographer know.
Sitting next to the table, you place your arm, elbow or hand flat on the detector. For the shoulder, while standing, you sometimes turn your arm inward and then outward. Each position is held for a few seconds; if it hurts, say so, and it will be adapted. Each image is checked on the screen before the next one. At the end, you put your jewelry back on and resume your activities.
Preparation
- Remove rings and bracelets, which are hard to take off if the hand swells.
- Wear a loose top or one that is easy to remove if the shoulder or arm is involved.
- Keep your cast or splint on: the X-ray is taken through it.
Fasting
No fasting or special diet.
Contrast injection
No contrast agent.
Contraindications and precautions
- Possible pregnancy: please tell us; the radiologist adapts the precautions.
- Tight ring on a swollen finger: let the team know.
- Stiff or very painful shoulder: tell us; arm rotations will not be forced.
- Plate, screws or pins placed during surgery: please tell us; the radiologist takes them into account.
Documents to bring
- Prescription from the doctor or surgeon
- Previous X-rays of the same limb
- Surgical report if surgical hardware has been placed
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can the X-ray be done with a cast on?
Yes, X-rays pass through a plaster or resin cast, with a slightly less sharp image. Never remove a cast or splint yourself.
Why turn the arm for the shoulder?
Each rotation shows a different part of the head of the humerus. A calcification in a tendon may only appear in one of the positions.
Can a wrist fracture go unnoticed?
Yes, a fracture of the scaphoid, a small bone in the wrist, is sometimes invisible at first. Your doctor may request a new X-ray a few days later, or an MRI.
Why X-ray both hands?
In rheumatic diseases, both hands are often affected. Comparing them helps detect subtle signs and follow how they change.
Can the X-ray be done as an emergency after a fall?
Yes. During opening hours, a wrist, elbow or shoulder X-ray prescribed after a fall can be done as an emergency at the center.
Does the X-ray show tendinitis?
Not directly, because the tendon is not visible on X-rays. However, it does show a calcification in the tendon or wear of the joint; ultrasound examines the tendon itself.