Purpose: X-Rays are presented on CD’s in a digital format with increasing frequency. The impression is that this technique requires more time to present a given x-ray compared to conventional pictures.

Methods: Time was measured for 6 orthopaedic residents presenting the most recent ap-view out of a given set. Ten sets of 6 x-rays for each case were saved in the conventional and digital format each. The order was randomised. As a precondition the computer was on and the same viewer software was used for all digital sets. The results were compared using a non linked student’s t-test (significance level p=0,05).

Results: Presentation of conventional x-rays required 21 sec (+− 7,46), of digital x-rays 90 sec (+− 27,56) respectively (p< 0,001).

Conclusions: In spite of ideal conditions digital x-rays on CD need significant more time in the orthopaedic clinic. In major centres patients present with different software and software in other languages which increase the required time even furhter. This latter problem will be assessed in another study.

Significance: This increase of preparation time used by a highly qualified staff member has implications on economics and logistics.