A scan of the femur along its full length, including the joint surfaces of the hip and knee. It is usually ordered after an X-ray when the X-ray is not conclusive.
- Duration5 minutes
- Contrastnot required
- Preparationnone
- Report30 min – 1 hour
What it shows
- cracks and fractures, including comminuted and incomplete ones
- inflammatory, degenerative and tumour processes in the bone, metastases
- osteomyelitis
- signs of osteoarthritis in the adjacent joints
- reduced bone density
- developmental abnormalities of the femur
When it is recommended
- thigh injury, suspected fracture
- unclear or doubtful X-ray results
- suspected osteomyelitis or tumour
- osteochondropathies (e.g. osteochondritis dissecans, Koenig disease)
- preparation for surgery
- monitoring changes during treatment
Good to know
- 3D reconstruction can be performed if needed to assess complex fractures and bone alignment.
- CT can be done with metal rods, plates and other implants in place.
- CT is not a test for osteoporosis, although it may show reduced bone density.
General information about CT — safety, contraindications, contrast and what to expect — is on the CT page.