Description

Test Criteria

An ankle X-ray can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, and swelling, or deformity of the ankle joint. It can show broken bones or a dislocated joint. After a broken bone has been set, an X-ray can show if the bones are aligned and if they have healed properly.

An X-ray can help doctors plan surgery, when needed, and check the results after it. It also can help to detect cysts, tumors, later stage infections, fluid in the joint, and other diseases in the ankle bones.

Depending on the X-ray results, a follow-up radiology test like a CAT scan or MRI might be needed.

The doctor also might order a stress X-ray to check how tightly the ligaments are holding the ankle together. To do this, the doctor or technician stretches the ankle joint while the X-ray is taken to see if the pressure moves the bones apart.