X-Rays for Osteoarthritis at Butler. (08) 9544 3999
Author : crystal radiology | Published On : 05 Oct 2026
Joint pain, stiffness and reduced movement can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs or getting dressed more difficult. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of ongoing joint pain, particularly as people get older. If your doctor suspects osteoarthritis, an X-ray may be recommended to assess the affected joint and look for changes that can occur with the condition.
X-rays for osteoarthritis at Butler can provide useful images of bones and joints, helping your doctor assess changes associated with osteoarthritis and determine the next steps in your care.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects joints. It commonly develops in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine, but it can also affect the hands and other joints.
Healthy joints have cartilage that helps the bones move smoothly against each other. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage and other structures within the joint can change over time. This may contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain, particularly during or after activity
- Stiffness after resting or waking up
- Swelling around the joint
- Reduced range of movement
- Tenderness around the affected area
- A grinding or clicking sensation when moving the joint
- Difficulty performing everyday activities
Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person. Some people may have significant changes visible on imaging but relatively mild symptoms, while others can experience considerable pain.
How Can X-Rays Help With Osteoarthritis?
An X-ray creates images of the bones within a joint. Although X-rays do not show cartilage directly, they can show changes in the joint space and bones that may be associated with osteoarthritis.
X-rays for osteoarthritis at Butler may help doctors assess features such as:
- Narrowing of the joint space
- Changes in bone shape
- Bone spurs, also called osteophytes
- Increased bone density in areas beneath the cartilage
- Certain types of joint deformity
- Other bone abnormalities that may contribute to symptoms
These findings can help your doctor understand what may be happening within the joint and whether the imaging appearance is consistent with osteoarthritis.
Which Joints Can Be Examined?
Osteoarthritis can affect many different joints. X-rays may be used to assess areas where symptoms are present or where your doctor suspects joint degeneration.
Common areas include:
- Knee
Knee osteoarthritis is particularly common. X-rays can help assess the space between the bones and identify changes that may be associated with cartilage loss and joint degeneration.
- Hip
Hip osteoarthritis can cause pain in the hip, groin, thigh or sometimes the knee. An X-ray can help assess the hip joint and surrounding bones.
- Hands and Fingers
Osteoarthritis can affect the small joints of the hands and fingers, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and changes in joint shape.
- Spine
Osteoarthritis-related changes can occur in the joints of the spine. X-rays may help identify certain bony changes and other abnormalities.
The type of imaging recommended will depend on your symptoms, medical history and the area being investigated.
Are X-Rays Safe?
X-rays use a small amount of ionising radiation to create medical images. Medical X-ray examinations are performed when the expected clinical benefit outweighs the potential risks associated with radiation exposure.
Radiology practices use appropriate techniques to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable while still obtaining diagnostic-quality images.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor and the radiographer before the examination. They can determine whether an X-ray is appropriate and take any necessary precautions.
Why Might Your Doctor Recommend an X-Ray?
Your doctor may recommend an X-ray if you have:
- Persistent joint pain
- Ongoing stiffness
- Reduced movement
- Pain that affects daily activities
- A suspected degenerative joint condition
- A history of joint injury
- Symptoms that need further investigation
- A need to assess changes over time
Imaging is only one part of the diagnostic process. Your healthcare professional will determine which examination is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Why Choose Butler Medical Imaging?
At Butler Medical Imaging, patients can access professional diagnostic imaging services in a patient-focused environment. X-rays for osteoarthritis at Butler can support the assessment of joint-related symptoms and provide your referring doctor with useful information about the bones and joints being examined.
If you have ongoing joint pain or your doctor has recommended an X-ray, following the referral and imaging instructions provided by your healthcare professional can help ensure the appropriate examination is performed.
Book Your X-Ray at Butler Medical Imaging
Contact Butler Medical Imaging to book your X-ray appointment today. Bring your referral and any relevant medical information, and follow the preparation instructions provided by your healthcare professional.
Please ensure that you have your Medicare card and referral with you and pop into our location for your consultation. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us on +61 8 9544 3999 as we are here to help.
Additional Recommendation
“This information is general in nature and does not replace medical advice. Suitability for procedures should be discussed with your referring doctor or specialist.
