This form of x-ray imaging shows us a video instead of a single image. It lets us see things in your body in real time. We use it to find and treat many issues.
What are some common uses? Often, we use it to look for problems. This is called "diagnostic" fluoroscopy. For example, if we think you have a heart problem, we can use it to see how blood moves through your heart and blood vessels. If you're having a problem with your digestive system, we can use it to see how food moves through your body.
We also use fluoroscopy during some procedures. For example, we may use it to guide a needle into a painful joint so we can inject medicine into the right place. We use it to guide a catheter through a blood vessel and into your heart so we can place a stent. And we often use it to help with things like joint replacement and broken bone repairs.
To help give us clear fluoroscopic images, we may need to use a contrast solution. That's a liquid that shows up very clearly on the fluoroscope. We might inject this solution. We might mix it into a drink that you swallow. Or, we may give it to you some other way. The solution won't harm you. Your body gets rid of it naturally within a few days.
For more info about fluoroscopy, talk to your doctor.