The Effects, Risks, and Guidelines for Radiation Use in Orthopaedic Surgery

Radiation is used during orthopaedic surgery in more than 15 million studies performed yearly. The biologic effects of radiation have been shown to inhibit mitosis by producing irrepairable deoxyribonucleic acid double strand breaks or create structural changes by damaging the nucleus, thereby producing potential genetic transmissions. Although human cells are thought to be resistant to malignant change and no studies have shown toxic effects resulting from long-term exposure to low-dose radiation, risks still are assumed. To decrease all risks, radiographic units should undergo periodic calibration, surgeons should wear protective devices, increase their working distance from the x-ray beam, and limit their duration of radiation exposure by making certain that they follow the guidelines set forth by the National Council for Radiation Protection and Measurement.