Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward treating an orthopedic injury properly. Dr. Angelo Mattalino, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has cared for patients in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ, for over 25 years, relies on digital radiography to get a clear, detailed view of bones and joints so he can identify the source of pain and build a treatment plan around it. Instead of waiting days for film to develop, Dr. Mattalino can review high-resolution X-ray images within minutes of your exam, often during the same visit. This is why timely imaging matters more than many think.
Whether you are dealing with a recent injury, ongoing joint pain or a condition that needs monitoring over time, digital radiography helps confirm what is happening beneath the surface.
What Is Digital Radiography?
Digital radiography is a form of X-ray imaging where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. A digital image capture device is used instead of X-ray film. Less radiation is used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional radiography.
Digital X-ray gives the advantage of immediate image preview and availability as well as the ability to enhance the display of the image. The image can be viewed on a computer or tablet device and a report can be available in just a few minutes after the examination is performed. The images are no longer kept in a single location and can be seen simultaneously by physicians in different locations. In addition, the patient can have the X-ray images saved on a disk to take to another physician or hospital.
Benefits of Digital X-Rays
Digital X-rays offer several advantages over traditional imaging methods, both for diagnosis and for the overall patient experience.
Faster Diagnosis
Because images appear on screen within seconds, Dr. Mattalino can review your X-ray during your visit rather than waiting for film to be processed. This often means answers and a treatment plan on the same day.
Improved Image Quality
Digital sensors capture a wider range of detail than film, which allows for image enhancement after the exam. Areas of the image can be zoomed in on or adjusted for contrast without needing to repeat the X-ray.
Lower Radiation Exposure
Digital radiography typically uses a lower radiation dose than traditional film X-rays while still producing high-quality diagnostic images, though the exact dose depends on the area being imaged and the type of exam being performed.
A Comfortable Exam Process
Positioning is quick and imaging takes only a few seconds per view. Most patients find the process straightforward, with little to no discomfort.
Same-Day Results In Many Cases
Because the images are ready almost immediately, Dr. Mattalino can often discuss findings with you before you leave the office rather than scheduling a separate follow-up visit just to go over results.
Easy Image Sharing With Specialists
Digital files can be securely shared with other physicians or facilities, so there is no need to carry film between appointments if you are referred out or seeking a second opinion.
What Can Digital Radiography Diagnose?
Digital radiography is one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in orthopedic care because it provides a clear picture of bone and joint structure. At our Scottsdale office, digital X-rays are frequently used to evaluate:
Fractures
Breaks and stress fractures in the bones of the arms, legs, hands, feet, spine and other areas are often visible on X-ray, which helps determine the type of fracture and the best course of treatment.
Arthritis
X-rays can reveal joint space narrowing, bone spurs and other changes associated with osteoarthritis, helping guide decisions about pain management, injections or surgical options.
Joint Pain
When the source of joint pain is unclear, digital X-rays can help rule out or confirm structural causes such as misalignment, degeneration or old injuries that may not have fully healed.
Spine Imaging
X-rays of the spine can help identify alignment issues, disc space narrowing or degenerative changes that may be contributing to back or neck pain.
Sports Injuries
Athletes dealing with acute trauma, such as a fall or collision, often need imaging to rule out fractures or joint damage before returning to activity.
Follow-up Imaging
After a fracture, surgery or injection, X-rays are commonly used to confirm proper healing, hardware placement or joint alignment over time.
Pre-Surgical Screening
In some cases, a chest X-ray may be ordered as part of routine pre-operative clearance to confirm a patient is a safe candidate for surgery, particularly for procedures requiring general anesthesia.
Because bone and joint conditions can develop gradually, imaging is also useful for tracking changes over time. Comparing a current X-ray against a prior one can show whether arthritis has progressed, whether a healed fracture remains stable or whether a joint replacement is holding its position as expected.
If imaging shows something that requires a closer look, Dr. Mattalino may recommend additional studies such as MRI or CT scans, but digital X-ray is often the starting point for evaluating orthopedic concerns.
How Digital X-Ray Fits Alongside MRI and Image-Guided Procedures
Sports medicine relies on multiple imaging modalities. X-ray is the fastest, most direct way to evaluate bone, making it the first step for suspected fractures, alignment issues and arthritis. Soft tissue structures such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage and the labrum do not show up clearly on X-ray, though, so when an injury may involve these structures, such as a suspected rotator cuff tear, ACL injury or meniscus tear, Dr. Mattalino may refer patients for an MRI.
Image guidance also plays a role beyond diagnosis. For OrthoBiologic injections such as PRP, image-guided techniques are increasingly considered part of the standard of care, an approach reflected in Dr. Mattalino’s practice. Digital X-ray, MRI and image-guided procedures each serve a distinct purpose, and Dr. Mattalino determines which combination is appropriate based on your symptoms and exam findings.
What Happens During the Exam?
Understanding each step of a digital X-ray exam can help you feel more prepared when you arrive for imaging. From check-in to reviewing your results, each phase is designed to be quick and comfortable.
Before
Your visit begins with a brief check-in, during which our team confirms which area needs imaging and reviews any relevant history or symptoms.
Before the exam, you may be asked to:
- Remove jewelry, eyewear or other metal objects from the area being imaged, since metal can interfere with image clarity
- Change into a gown if the clothing in the area to be imaged has zippers, snaps or other metal
- Let the technologist know if you are or may be pregnant, since precautions may be needed
No fasting, sedation or other special preparation is required for a standard digital X-ray.
During
Once you are positioned, the imaging itself takes only a fraction of a second per view.
During the exam:
- You will be positioned in front of or on top of the imaging equipment, depending on the area being evaluated
- A technologist will guide you into the correct position for each view needed
- You may be asked to hold still and, in some cases, hold your breath briefly while the image is captured
- Multiple angles are often taken to give Dr. Mattalino a complete picture of the joint or bone in question
Most exams are completed within a few minutes from start to finish.
After
No recovery period is required after a digital X-ray, and you can typically resume normal activity immediately. Because the images are digital, Dr. Mattalino can often review them with you before you leave the office, discussing what the X-ray shows and what it means for your treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Imaging Services
Do I need a referral for a digital X-ray at your office?
If your insurance plan requires a referral, it is your responsibility to obtain one before your visit. Requirements vary widely from one plan to the next, so it is worth checking with your insurance provider ahead of time to avoid delays. Our office can help answer questions about what your specific plan requires and how a referral fits into your visit.
Will my insurance cover digital X-ray imaging?
Dr. Mattalino accepts most private health insurance plans. Coverage details can vary depending on your specific plan, deductible and provider network, so imaging costs are not always the same for every patient. Our office is happy to discuss your specific insurance options when you call to schedule your appointment, so you have a clear picture of what to expect beforehand.
Can I bring X-rays or imaging from another provider to my appointment?
Yes. If you have prior X-rays, MRI results or other imaging from another physician or facility, bringing them to your appointment, whether on disc or as a digital file, gives Dr. Mattalino a fuller picture of your condition and how it may have changed over time. This is especially helpful if you are being seen for a follow-up injury or a condition that has been evaluated elsewhere in the past. Having that history on hand can also help avoid unnecessary repeat imaging.
What happens if my X-ray shows I need additional imaging?
If your X-ray does not fully explain your symptoms, Dr. Mattalino will discuss next steps with you directly, which may include a referral for an MRI or other advanced imaging, depending on your condition. This conversation takes place during your visit, so you are not left waiting to understand what your results mean. Dr. Mattalino will walk you through why additional imaging may be recommended and what it is expected to show before you leave the office.
How do I schedule a digital X-ray at your office?
Appointment requests can be made by calling our office directly. Our team will help find a time that works with your schedule and can answer any questions you have before your visit. If you are being referred by another physician for imaging, let our staff know when you call so your appointment can be coordinated accordingly.
Why Choose Dr. Angelo Mattalino For Imaging Services?
Dr. Angelo Mattalino is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons who has cared for patients in Scottsdale for over 25 years as founder and Medical Director of Southwest Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic. He completed fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery under Dr. James R. Andrews at the American Sports Medicine Institute and in sports medicine and knee surgery under Dr. J.R. Steadman, experience that has carried him through decades of caring for athletes at every level, including serving as Head Team Physician for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Patients at our Scottsdale office benefit from a streamlined process: imaging, review and treatment planning often happen in the same visit, with Dr. Mattalino personally walking you through what the X-ray shows. For patients managing arthritis or recovering from a fracture, on-site imaging also simplifies follow-up visits, since updated images can be taken and reviewed with Dr. Mattalino in a single appointment.
Get Answers With Digital X-Ray Imaging in Scottsdale, AZ
When shoulder, knee or joint pain starts to affect your daily activities, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward real relief. Digital radiography offers a fast, noninvasive way to see what is happening inside the joint, giving Dr. Mattalino the information he needs to build a treatment plan around your specific condition rather than a guess.
With care led by Dr. Angelo Mattalino, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 25 years of caring for patients in Scottsdale, imaging, review and treatment planning often happen in the same visit. Whether you are managing a new injury, ongoing joint pain or a condition that needs monitoring over time, that means fewer appointments and faster answers.
Schedule a consultation with Angelo Mattalino, MD in Scottsdale to get the answers you need. Call 480-763-5950 or schedule your consultation online.
