Pelvis x-ray
X-ray - pelvis
A pelvis x-ray is a picture of the bones in and around both hips. The pelvis connects the legs to the body.
The sacrum is a shield-shaped bony structure that is located at the base of the lumbar vertebrae and that is connected to the pelvis. The sacrum forms the posterior pelvic wall and strengthens and stabilizes the pelvis. Joined at the very end of the sacrum are two to four tiny, partially fused vertebrae known as the coccyx or "tail bone". The coccyx provides slight support for the pelvic organs but actually is a bone of little use.
The skeleton is made up of 206 bones in the adult and contributes to the form and shape of the body. The skeleton has several important functions for the body. The bones of the skeleton provide support for the soft tissues. For example, the rib cage supports the thoracic wall. Most muscles of the body are attached to bones which act as levers to allow movement of body parts. The bones of the skeleton also serve as a reservoir for minerals, such as calcium and phosphate. Finally, most of the blood cell formation takes places within the marrow of certain bones.
How the Test is Performed
The test is done in a radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician.
You will lie down on the table. The pictures are then taken. You may have to move your body to other positions to provide different views.
How to Prepare for the Test
Tell the provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry, especially around your belly and legs. You will wear a hospital gown.
How the Test will Feel
The x-rays are painless. Changing position may cause discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
The x-ray is used to look for:
- Fractures
- Tumors
- Degenerative conditions of bones in the hips, pelvis, and upper legs
- Abnormal shape of your bones or joint
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may suggest:
- Pelvic fractures
- Arthritis of the hip joint
- Tumors of the bones of the pelvis
- Sacroiliitis (inflammation of the area where the sacrum joins the ilium bone)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (abnormal stiffness of the spine and joint)
- Arthritis of the lower spine
- Abnormality of the shape of your pelvis or hip joint
Risks
Children and the fetuses of pregnant women are more sensitive to the radiation of the x-ray. A protective shield may be worn over areas not being scanned or other imaging modalities can be used.
References
Stoneback JW, Gorman MA. Pelvic fractures. In: McIntyre RC, Schulick RD, eds. Surgical Decision Making. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 147.
Williams KD. Spondylolisthesis. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 40.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 4/24/2023
Reviewed by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
