Digital X-rays near me | Longmont, CO

Looking for an x-ray near you in Longmont, CO? AFC Urgent Care offers walk-in digital x-rays, injury evaluations, and fast imaging services 7 days a week.

At AFC Urgent Care Longmont, we provide fast, convenient digital x-ray services for patients throughout Longmont, Prospect, Firestone, Mead, Hygiene, and surrounding Boulder County communities. Whether you were injured biking along the St. Vrain Greenway, hurt during youth sports at Sandstone Ranch, or developed chest symptoms after a busy work week, our walk-in clinic is equipped to help you get answers quickly.

Our clinic uses advanced digital x-ray technology to diagnose injuries and illnesses efficiently while helping patients avoid long emergency room wait times. We have experienced x-ray technicians on staff at all times and provide care for patients six months and older, seven days a week with no appointment necessary.

What conditions are diagnosed at AFC Urgent Care using an x-ray?

Digital x-rays help diagnose many different injuries and medical conditions. At AFC Urgent Care Longmont, some of the most common conditions evaluated with x-ray imaging include:

• Bone fractures
• Skull
• Pelvis and hips
• Abdomen
• Kidney stones
• Upper extremities
• Lower extremities
• Rotator Cuff
• Humerus
• Osteoarthritis
• Chest and lungs
• Pleural effusion (water on the lungs)
• Pleural cavity

What are x-rays?

X-rays are painless imaging tests used to create pictures of the inside of the body. Similar to radio waves and visible light, x-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. During the imaging process, a machine sends a small amount of radiation through the body while a sensor captures the image.

Healthcare providers have used x-rays for more than 100 years to diagnose illnesses and injuries. Today’s digital x-ray technology has significantly improved the imaging process, making it faster, safer, and more efficient than older film-based systems.

Traditional x-rays

As mentioned earlier, x-rays have been around since the early 1900s. Prior to digital x-rays, the traditional x-ray machine used film to capture images of the body’s internal structures and foreign objects.  You can easily make the comparison of the traditional or standard x-ray as the old cameras that used film to capture pictures.

What are Digital x-rays?

With digital x-rays, just like the digital camera found on your smartphone, it is no longer necessary to purchase and develop film.  Digital x-ray machines still use x-rays but instead of using film, a sensor is connected to a computer to capture the image.  There are numerous benefits of a digital x-ray when compared against the standard or traditional x-ray.

Is there a difference between Digital Radiography and Digital x-rays?

No. The terms “digital radiography” and “digital x-rays” are used interchangeably and refer to the same advanced imaging technology.

What are the benefits of Digital vs. Traditional x-rays?

• Less Radiation exposure
• Clearer and Sharper images
• Quicker turnaround
• Portability and Record Keeping
• Environmental Impact

Lower Radiation Levels

One of the most common concerns about x-rays is exposure to radiation.  When you get a digital x-ray in our urgent care walk-in clinic, you may be asked to wear a lead apron.  However, a digital x-ray machine produces 80% less radiation than a traditional x-ray machine which results in significantly reduced radiation exposure to the patient.

Better images

The purpose of using x-rays is to look into the body and diagnose health issues that otherwise could not be viewed with the naked eye. For proper diagnosis, having a clear image is critical. Digital x-rays produce far sharper images because digital sensors assist in creating higher resolution pictures. Since these images are high resolution and stored on a computer, they can be easily magnified without distorting or degrading the quality of the image.

Quicker Turnaround

Digital x-rays are ready instantly and there is no need to process them unlike standard film-based x-rays.

Portability and Record Keeping

Similar to a picture taken on your digital camera or smartphone, digital x-rays are more quickly and easily shared with different doctors for evaluation (if necessary) after your visit.  Being able to easily store, share, and retrieve digital images quickly is a huge plus over film-based x-rays.

Environmental Impact

In order to produce an image using a traditional x-ray machine, film has to be used. Many chemicals are used to develop the images from x-ray film. Several of the chemicals used are toxic, such as lead.  If the waste and chemicals used in developing film are not correctly disposed they will find their way into the environment.  A huge benefit of using digital x-rays is not having to use film and completely eliminates the need for those chemicals, which is safer for you and the environment.

Where can I get an x-ray in Longmont, CO ?

If you are searching for a walk-in x-ray clinic in Longmont, AFC Urgent Care Longmont provides fast, affordable digital imaging services seven days a week. Whether you are dealing with a possible fracture, sports injury, chest discomfort, or another medical concern, our clinic offers on-site x-rays without the need for an appointment.

Conveniently located for patients from Longmont, Mead, Firestone, Hygiene, Niwot, and Prospect, our urgent care center helps local families, students, workers, and athletes get quick answers and treatment close to home. Walk in today for efficient care from a trusted Longmont urgent care team.