Is X-ray of ankle joint (feet) is safe during ealier stages of pregnancy?

Answer 1

The following website has questions answered by qualified medical personel who are experts in radiation and it's effects. Here is what I found:

"X rays of your ankle or foot, performed with modern technology, will deliver a negligible dose of radiation to your unborn baby. The dose will be too small to measure. It will be substantially less than the dose you (and every person) receive each day from natural environmental radiation."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q3624.html

This is in regards to knee x-rays. As you know (duh...lol), a knee is closer to a uterus than an ankle....

"When an x ray is taken, only the part of the body of interest (for example your knees) is exposed to the radiation because the radiation beam from the x-ray machine is collimated. In your case, the lower abdomen (containing the uterus and other organs and tissues) was not exposed to any significant radiation."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q131.html

Answer 2

I won't say yes or no to this question... because I'm not entirely sure myself.

BUT

I had to get an x-ray a month ago when I was 20 wks pregnant. At first I didn't want to do it, but two different doctors and a radiologist assured me they'll be extra careful to protect the baby and that he'll be fine.

Inform the radiologist that you're pregnant and s/he will put a heavy lead bib/apron thing over your stomach and back to protect the baby. I read that the biggest problem with x-rays are that they can cause spontaneous abortion, esp in the first 3 months. But again, if they take steps to protect you and your baby, it shouldn't be a big problem. Sometimes, it just can't be avoided I suppose.

Good luck.

------

**Edit**

Your question made me think so I did some research. Go read these web sites.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/pregnancy/fetal/373.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/med/xray-radiographie_e.html

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/xrays.html

----------

Answer 3

Why do some people who have no idea what they are talking about insist on giving stupid answers, just for the sake of another Yahoo! point?

Ankle radiographs (xrays) cause no effect on a foetus. When the radiographer takes your x-ray they would have lay you on a table supine (on your back) and will take either 2 or 3 views (depending on departmental protocol) using COLLIMATION (or coning, whatever term floats your boat) which is where the field of exposure is hugely narrowed. As previously mentioned it is recommended that you have some lead protection to combat any radiation scatter, but IN THIS INSTANCE this will be more piece of mind for yourself than anything.

Providing the beam is collimated to just your ankle (which it will be), x-rays to your ankle are perfectly safe regardless of how far through the pregnancy you are.

Answer 4

X-ray Of An Ankle

Answer 5

Get Joint Pain Relief Codes!

Answer 6

I badly sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago. I was in a hurry going down the stairs, lost my balance and landed on a bad side of my left foot, causing my left ankle to be stretched going on the inside. The first 48 hours were excruciating and the pain was un-believable. I've never had a serious ankle injury before.

So I immediately treated it using the RICE method. The following day, the bruising and swelling were so horrible. I found out that I got a second degree sprain and immediately panicked after that. I had a football game on that week and it been looking forward to it because I've been training for rt. I had teammates that had similar injuries and it took them months to fully recover, some of them stopped playing altogether. So I kinda had a short-term depression because I can't imagine myself not being able to run and play sports anymore.

Because I was so desperate to recover again, I contacted a lot of people that I know who do sports and asked them if they had similar injuries. One friend of mine, from the boy's football team in my university, told me about H.E.M. Ankle Rehab. I got a copy 4 days after I got injured. I immediately read and followed what was instructed and felt improvement on the first day. I was able to walk a bit, but I was in pain.

A couple of days after that, the swelling and bruising were subsid-ing significantly and on the fourth day, I was walking comfortably again. Although I've had felt a bit of stiffness, I continued doing what was instructed. My sister was surprised that I have recovered this fast. I told her about this book and was shocked on how effective the procedures were. I'm just so happy that this book was shared to me and how effective it is.

Heal your ankle fully & fast?

Answer 7

I also had a chest xray in 7 week of pregnancy . But I am afraid that what should I do to safe the baby. Is there any harmful effects?

Answer 8

X-rays of extremities wont have any negative effects. But regardless, ANYTIME you get an x-ray, ask for shielding. It will take a lot more x-rays than you will ever get to hurt you, but why risk it? CT is the one you should worry about. CT, Nuc Med, and Rad Ther. Good luck!

Answer 9

i have problems with my feet and they needed an x-ray off me. As being pregnant though they stopped me straight away and i had to have a scan on them instead.

Answer 10

no. x-ray anywhere has the same radiation and effect on the body. take every x-ray with 6 months inbetween -quote from my doctors. it will definitely cause harm to your baby.