X-rays are a type of high energy radiation that can pass through the body. Dense tissue such as bone blocks X-rays, meaning that an X-ray image will show the inside of your body, using the body’s density as the image’s ‘dark’ and ‘light’ sections of the image. These images, interpreted by a radiologist, can diagnose many conditions.
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What is it for?
To help detect abnormalities of bone or teeth
On this page
Overview
What happens in an X-ray?
An X-ray is like having a photograph taken, but of the inside of your body. An imaging plate will be placed behind the area to be X-rayed. The X-ray machine will deliver a short burst of X-rays through this part of your body. The X-rays will pass through your body and arrive on the imaging plate placed behind you.
From the imaging plate a digital X-ray image is produced. This X-ray image is studied by a specialist consultant radiologist, who is an expert in X-rays. The radiologist will send a report to your referring clinician.
X-rays are painless and cannot be seen or felt. You will be asked to stay still during the X-ray.
What do X-rays help to diagnose?
- Any abnormalities of bone or teeth, such as fractures
- Abnormalities in joints such as osteoarthritis
- Size and shape of the heart to help with the detection of some heart conditions
- Changes to the density of soft tissues such as breast or lung
- Fluid in certain organs such as the lung or gut
Diagnostic information
What are the benefits of X-rays?
X-rays are painless, affordable and fast, and may be all that is required in order to diagnose a condition or abnormality.
What are the risks associated with X-rays?
There is very low risk associated with having an X-ray and our advanced digital X-ray equipment ensures the minimum radiation exposure is used to produce optimal images. However, repeated tests may damage cells in the body which could lead to cancer. The dose of radiation used is always kept to a minimum.
X-rays are not recommended for pregnant women. Please let the radiographer know if you think you may be pregnant.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.